Focusing on self-awareness, the book challenges the notion that the self is beyond introspection. The author, Cassam, argues that our consciousness of thoughts and experiences is tied to a perception of ourselves as tangible beings in a physical world. This thought-provoking examination addresses a profound intellectual issue, making it essential reading for philosophers and cognitive scientists interested in the nature of the self.
Exploring the connection between sensory experience and the perception of mind-independent objects, this book presents a debate between two contrasting theories. It delves into how sensory experiences shape our understanding and conception of the external world, challenging readers to consider the implications of these differing viewpoints on knowledge and reality. Through rigorous analysis, it aims to unravel the complexities of how we interpret sensory information in relation to concepts.
Humans are not model epistemic citizens. Our reasoning can be careless, our beliefs eccentric, and our desires irrational. Quassim Cassam develops a new account of self-knowledge which recognises this feature of human life. He argues that self-knowledge is a genuine cognitive achievement, and that self- ignorance is almost always on the cards.
Quassim Cassam introduces the idea of epistemic vices, character traits that get in the way of knowledge, such as closed-mindedness, intellectual arrogance, wishful thinking, and prejudice. Using examples from politics to illustrate the vices at work, he considers whether we are responsible for such failings, and what we can do about them.
"9/11 was an inside job. The Holocaust is a myth promoted to serve Jewish interests. The shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School were a false flag operation. Climate change is a hoax perpetrated by the Chinese government. These are all conspiracy theories. A glance online or at bestseller lists reveals how popular some of them are. Even if there is plenty of evidence to disprove them, people persist in propagating them. Why? Philosopher Quassim Cassam explains how conspiracy theories are different from ordinary theories about conspiracies. He argues that conspiracy theories are forms of propaganda and their function is to promote a political agenda. Although conspiracy theories are sometimes defended on the grounds that they uncover evidence of bad behaviour by political leaders, they do much more harm than good, with some resulting in the deaths of large numbers of people. There can be no clearer indication that something has gone wrong with our intellectual and political culture than the fact that conspiracy theories have become mainstream. When they are dangerous, we cannot afford to ignore them. At the same time, refuting them by rational argument is difficult because conspiracy theorists discount or reject evidence that disproves their theories. As conspiracy theories are so often smokescreens for political ends, we need to come up with political as well as intellectual responses if we are to have any hope of defeating them."-- Provided by publisher
Essential reading for anyone interested in the topic, not only in Philosophy but related disciplines such as Politics and International Relations, Conflict and Terrorism studies, Law, Education and Religion, and policy-makers and those engaged in understanding extremism at any level.