{"product_id":"what-to-believe-now-isbn-9781405199940","title":"What to Believe Now","description":"What can we know and what should we believe about today's world? \u003ci\u003eWhat to Believe Now: Applying Epistemology to Contemporary Issues\u003c\/i\u003e applies the concerns and techniques of epistemology to a wide variety of contemporary issues. Questions about what we can know-and what we \u003ci\u003eshould\u003c\/i\u003e believe-are first addressed through an explicit consideration of the practicalities of working these issues out at the dawn of the twenty-first century. \u003cp\u003eCoady calls for an 'applied turn' in epistemology, a process he likens to the applied turn that transformed the study of ethics in the early 1970s. Subjects dealt with include:\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eExperts-how can we recognize them? And when should we trust them? \u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eRumors-should they \u003ci\u003eever\u003c\/i\u003e be believed? And can they, in fact, be a source of knowledge? \u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eConspiracy theories-when, if ever, should they be believed, and can they be known to be true? \u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eThe blogosphere-how does it compare with traditional media as a source of knowledge and justified belief? \u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003cp\u003eTimely, thought provoking, and controversial, \u003ci\u003eWhat to Believe Now \u003c\/i\u003eoffers a wealth of insights into a branch of philosophy of growing importance-and increasing relevance-in the twenty-first century.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePreface ix\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e1 Introduction 1\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e2 Experts and the Laity 27\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e3 Epistemic Democracy 59\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e4 Rumors and Rumor-Mongers 86\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e5 Conspiracy Theories and Conspiracy Theorists 110\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e6 The Blogosphere and the Conventional Media 138\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e7 Conclusion 169\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePostscript: Government Surveillance and Privacy 175\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReferences 188\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIndex 197\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003e“With the possible exception of some of the introductory material, however, everything in What To Believe Now is accessible without a background in epistemology. Since it addresses topics of considerable importance, it should command, if not a mass audience, then one that reaches well outside the narrow confines of academic philosophy. Those particularly likely to find it useful include political theorists, students of social networks, and perhaps some policy makers.”  (\u003ci\u003eDanube Law \u0026amp; Economics Review\u003c\/i\u003e, 1 December 2014)\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e“All in all, an intelligent, accessible, and provocative book that will encourage epistemologists to examine the real-world implications of their theories.”  (\u003ci\u003ePhilosophy in Review\u003c\/i\u003e, 1 October 2014)\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e“Overall, Coady’s book is a well-organised and well-conceived piece of philosophy that constitutes a powerful case for the legitimacy of applying epistemology to contemporary issues.”  (\u003ci\u003eJournal of Applied Philosophy\u003c\/i\u003e, 22 October 2013)\u003c\/p\u003e “This book implements an excellent idea. The idea is that applied epistemology is worth pursuing. Applied epistemology, like applied ethics, employs philosophical resources toward solving real-world problems.  What To Believe Now defends provocative views…  If the book encourages further work in applied epistemology, then it will have accomplished considerable good.”  (\u003ci\u003eEarl Conee, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e, 1 January 2013)  \u003cp\u003e“Undoubtedly, this book will interest contemporary epistemologists.  Summing Up: Highly recommended.  Upper-level undergraduates through researchers\/faculty.”  (\u003ci\u003eChoice\u003c\/i\u003e, 1 November 2012)\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e“Since it addresses topics of considerable importance, it should command, if not a mass audience, then one that reaches well outside the narrow confines of academic philosophy. Those particularly likely to find it useful include political theorists, students of social networks, and perhaps some policy makers.”  (\u003ci\u003eDanny Yee's Book Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e, 2012)\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDavid Coady\u003c\/b\u003e is a lecturer in philosophy at the University of Tasmania, Australia. He has published widely on topics in applied epistemology, including expertise, conspiracy theory, rumor, and the blogosphere. He is the editor of \u003ci\u003eConspiracy Theories: The Philosophical Debate \u003c\/i\u003e(2006) and he has also published on metaphysics, the philosophy of law, police ethics, the ethics of horror films, and the ethics of cricket.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eWhat can we know and what should we believe about today’s world? \u003ci\u003eWhat to Believe Now: Applying Epistemology to Contemporary Issues\u003c\/i\u003e applies the concerns and techniques of epistemology to a wide variety of contemporary issues.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCoady calls for an “applied turn” in epistemology, a process he likens to the applied turn that transformed the study of ethics in the early 1970s. Subjects dealt with include:\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eExperts: how can we recognize them and when should we trust them?\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eRumors: should they \u003ci\u003eever\u003c\/i\u003e be believed, and can they, in fact, be a source of knowledge?\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eConspiracy theories: when, if ever, should they be believed, and can they be known to be true?\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eThe blogosphere: how does it compare with traditional media as a source of knowledge and justified belief?\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eWikipedia: how does it compare with traditional encyclopedias as a source of knowledge and justified belief?\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003cp\u003eTimely, thought-provoking, and controversial, \u003ci\u003eWhat to Believe Now\u003c\/i\u003e offers a wealth of insights into applied epistemology, a branch of philosophy of growing importance – and increasing relevance – in the twenty-first century.\u003c\/p\u003e  'What should we believe?' This is one of the core questions of epistemology, but it is often discussed in the abstract as if it were a question of purely theoretical interest arising for agents living nowhere and nowhen. David Coady takes epistemology out of the study and into the streets  by asking what  \u003ci\u003ewe\u003c\/i\u003e   (as citizens of a more-or-less democratic societies) should believe \u003ci\u003enow  (\u003c\/i\u003ein the early 21st Century) about matters of political pith and moment.  A fine book, a fun book, and a book which might actually do a bit of good.  \u003cp\u003eCharles Pigden, University of Otago\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis original and accessible work advances applied epistemology with vivid examples, and provocative and balanced commentary. A terrific stimulus to reflection, discussion, and improved critical thought about everyday issues.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eJonathan Adler, The City University of New York\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wiley-Blackwell","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47990481912037,"sku":"NP9781405199940","price":43.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9781405199940.jpg?v=1761788001","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/es\/products\/what-to-believe-now-isbn-9781405199940","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}