Ignorance: A Case for Scepticism

by Peter K. Unger

In these challenging pages, Unger argues for the extreme skeptical view that, not only can nothing ever be known, but no one can ever have any reason at all for anything. A consequence of this is that we cannot ever have any emotions about anything: no one can ever be happy or sad about anything. Finally, in this reduction to absurdity of virtually all our supposed thought, he argues that no one can ever believe, or even say, that anything is the case.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction

323 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1975

About the author

Peter Unger is Professor of Philosophy at New York University. He has written extensively in epistemology, ethics, metaphysics and the philosophy of mind. He has had fellowships from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Guggenheim Foundation.

Reviews

[Jake Wojtowicz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really enjoyable book. it was far less dry than I'd feared, and everything is well argued for - however I think it's false (the "inconsistencies" just don't ring as inconsistent to my ear) and the last chapter is befuddling (perhaps due to my aversion to metaphysics) and struck me as either obfuscation or confusion. There are some bits of gold in here though, such as the idea that if you don't know anything, you can't be angry at anything (as it would be apparently inconsistent to say "I am angry that you stole my bat, but I don't know you stole my bat"). Well worth a read.

[Gavin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Extremely well-written, and full of big giant thoughts and grand flourishes. But the whole thing feels like a joke at my expense.

(Did he write it as a reductio of this sort of philosophy? I wouldn't put it past him.)

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

outstanding. We know nothing!