Epistemic Thought Experiments and Intuitions
Manhal Hamdo
Jun 2023 · Philosophical Studies Series Book 150 · Springer Nature
Ebook
178
Pages
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About this ebook
This work investigates intuitions' nature, demonstrating how philosophers can best use them in epistemology. First, the author considers several paradigmatic thought experiments in epistemology that depict the appeal to intuition. He then argues that the nature of thought experiment-generated intuitions is not best explained by an a priori Platonism. Second, the book instead develops and argues for a thin conception of epistemic intuitions. The account maintains that intuition is neither a priori nor a posteriori but multi-dimensional. It is an intentional but non-propositional mental state that is also non-conceptual and non-phenomenal in nature. Moreover, this state is individuated by its progenitor, namely, the relevant thought experiment. Third, the author provides an argument for the evidential status of intuitions based on the correct account of the nature of epistemic intuition. The suggestion is the fitting-ness approach: intuition alone has no epistemic status. Rather, intuition has evidentiary value as long as it fits well with other pieces into a whole, namely, the pertinent thought experiment. Finally, the book addresses the key challenges raised by supporters of anti-centrality, according to which philosophers do not regard intuition as central evidence in philosophy. To that end, the author responds to them, showing that they fail to affect the account of intuition developed in this book. This text appeals to students and researchers working in epistemology.
About the author
Manhal Hamdo is a postdoctoral research fellow at Freie Universität Berlin - Institut für Philosophie. His key focus is analytic philosophy, primarily epistemic intuition, thought experiments, knowledge skepticism, and the self. He wrote his PhD dissertation, published various papers, and participated in several conferences on intuition.
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