What is this thing called Philosophy?

by Duncan Pritchard (Editor)

What is Knowledge? Where does it come from? Can we know anything at all? This lucid and engaging introduction grapples with these central questions in the theory of knowledge, offering a clear, non-partisan view of the main themes of epistemology including recent developments such as virtue epistemology and contextualism. Duncan Pritchard discusses traditional issues and contemporary ideas in thirteen easily digestible sections, value of knowledge the structure of knowledge virtues and faculties perception testimony and memory induction scepticism. What is this thing called Knowledge? contains many helpful student-friendly features including study questions, annotated further reading, a glossary and a guide to web resources. Clear and interesting examples are used throughout. This is an ideal first textbook in the theory of knowledge for undergraduates taking a first course in philosophy.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction

518 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication December 2, 2025

About the author

Duncan Pritchard FRSE is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Edinburgh, UK. His main research area is epistemology, and he has published widely in this field, including the books Epistemic Luck (2005), Knowledge (2009), The Nature and Value of Knowledge (with A. Millar & A. Haddock, 2010), and Epistemological Disjunctivism (2012). In 2007 he was awarded a Phillip Leverhulme Prize for his research. In 2011 he was elected to a Fellowship of the Royal Society of Edinburgh

Reviews

[Kevin Stilley · Rating 2 out of 5]

The title "What is This Thing Called Philosophy" is an appropriate title because I think that a few of the contributors to the work don't really know and were helping someone would help them understand. Disappointing.

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is probably the best introductory textbook for anyone looking to get a good grasp of the main areas of philosophy.