The Problem of Knowledge: Prolegomena to an Epistemology

by Oliver A. Johnson

Finding descriptive titles for books devoted to central issues in philosophy can often become a problem; it is very difficult to be original. Thus the title that I have given to this book is far from novel, having already been used several times by other authors. Nevertheless, I think that I can fairly claim to have employed it in a way that no one else has done before. Concerning my subtitle, some comments are in order. I have added it to emphasize my views regarding the nature and scope of epistemology. In particular, I wish to draw attention to the fact that I conceive its subject matter quite broadly. Rather than equating it, as is often done, with "theory of knowledge," I believe that epistemology should concern itself with the philosophical investigation of human belief in general. The two categories of human belief of most importance to the epistemologist are knowledge and what I shall call in the book "reasonable belief. " In my opinion a complete epistemology must take account of both, attempting to resolve the problems that are peculiar to each. For reasons that I give in the book I believe that knowledge and its problems must be the first concern of the epistemologist. Only after he has developed a satisfactory theory of knowledge can he tum, with any hope of success, to the formu­ lation of a theory of reasonable belief.

137 pages, Paperback

First published April 30, 1975

About the author

Dr. Oliver A. Johnson, Ph.D. (Yale University, 1951; B.A., Linfield College, 1944) was a professor of philosophy at the University of California, Riverside, until his retirement in 1989, and longtime activist in the UC Academic Senate. Dr. Johnson concentrated on fundamental philosophic issues, establishing an international reputation for his work in ethics (particularly normative ethics and metaethics) and epistemology.

The Oliver Johnson Award is given out biennially to a member of the UC faculty who has performed outstanding service to the Academic Senate. Its broader goal is to honor all members of faculty (including Emeriti/ae Senate members) who have contributed their time and talent to the Senate. The award carries a small honorarium for the faculty member who receives it and is presented at the Annual Academic Council dinner.