Unnatural Doubts: Epistemological Realism and the Basis of Skepticism

(Paperback)

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In Unnatural Doubts, Michael Williams constructs a masterly polemic against the very idea of epistemology, as traditionally conceived. Although philosophers have often found problems in efforts to study the nature and limits of human knowledge, Williams provides the first book that systematically argues against there being such a thing as knowledge of the external world. He maintains that knowledge of the world consitutes a theoretically coherent kind of knowledge, whose possibility needs to be defended, only given a deeply problematic doctrine he calls "epistemological realism." The only alternative to epistemological realism is a thoroughgoing contextualism.

Reviews

"[Many readers] will find their thoughts on the topic deepened and challenged by Williams's powerful and penetrating inquiry."--Marie McGinn, The Journal of Philosophy "Williams has a feeling for the larger intellectual significance of skepticism and for its phenomenology. He attacks the skeptic's citadel with boldness, determination, and strategic sense... [H]is treatment of a large range of other writings on the subject ... combines sympathy with acute criticisms."--John Skorupski, Mind

Author Bio

Michael Williams is Morrison Professor of Humanities and Professor of Philosophy at Northwestern University. He is the author of Groundless Beliefs.