Conversations in Philosophy: Knowledge and Freedom

Product Description The collection of essays in this anthology is divided into three categories, namely social epistemology, epistemology, and freedom, respectively. The first category addresses questions related to the social dimensions of knowledge. Various issues are interrogated, including the lack of attention to testimony in much standard philosophizing, the need for advocacy, and the role of history-making in social reconstruction. The second category deals more directly with some of the concepts that generally crop up in the theory of knowledge, provoking questions such as: How much do we really know about each other? What is the content of the knowledge we think we have, and how far does it depend upon our social being? What is the relationship between knowledge and truth? Essays in the third category deal with the concept of freedom both at a personal and a social level and discuss dilemmas such as: To what extent are some of the arguments put forward in favour of genetic determinism flawed or sensible? Does the idea of genetic influence pose a threat to freedom? What is the area within which the subject is, or should be left to do, or be, without interference from other persons? In this era of globalization, is cosmopolitanism or communitarianism by itself sufficient for promoting freedom? Conversations in Philosophy: Knowledge and Freedom is the second book in a series, based on a selection of papers presented at the annual Cave Hill Philosophy Symposium. The first book, Conversations in Philosophy: Crossing the Boundaries (published in 2008, also by Cambridge Scholars Publishing) consisted of essays that revolved around the question of the nature and meaning of philosophy. This second volume of Conversations in Philosophy offers a careful and balanced examination of many issues that recur in discussions on knowledge and freedom. The essays are thoughtful, provocative, and challenging. About the Author F. Ochieng-Odhiambo is a Professor of Philosophy and Head of the Department of History and Philosophy at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Barbados. His research interests include African philosophy, social-political philosophy, and logic; areas in which he has published texts, journal articles, and book chapters. Roxanne Burton is a Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Barbados. Her research interests include Caribbean philosophy, social philosophy and feminist philosophy. Ed Brandon retired as Professor of Philosophy at the University of the West Indies in 2012, having been mainly engaged in the work of its new Open Campus. Born in England, he studied Philosophy at York and Oxford and was much influenced by the work of John Mackie. His publications are available on-line.