Problems in Epistemology and Metaphysics

Steven B. Cowan is Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Religion and Director of the Philosophy and Religion Program at Lincoln Memorial University, USA.

• List of Contributors AcknowledgementsIntroduction, Steven B. CowanPart I: Problems in EpistemologyIntroduction to Part One, Steven B. Cowan1. Can We Have Knowledge?We Can Know, Michael HuemerWe Can’t Know, Markus LammenrantaResponses:Lammenranta’s Response to HuemerHuemer’s Response to Lammenranta2. How Are Beliefs Justified?Beliefs Can Be Justified by Experience, Daniel Howard-SnyderBeliefs Are Justified by Coherence, Kevin McCain and Ted PostonResponses:McCain’s and Poston’s Response to Howard-Snyder Howard-Snyder’s Response to McCain and Poston3. Must the Grounds of Knowledge Be Accessible to the Knower?The Grounds of Knowledge Must Be Accessible, Ali HasanThe Grounds of Knowledge Need Not Be Accessible, Stephen HetheringtonResponses:Hetherington’s Response to HasanHasan’s Response to Hetherington4. Do Religious Beliefs Require Evidence?Religious Beliefs Require Evidence, Trent DoughertyReligious Beliefs Don’t Require Evidence, Thomas D. SenorResponses:Senor’s Response to DoughertyDougherty’s Response to Senor5. Can Science Discover the Truth about Reality?Science Discovers the Truth about Reality, Stathis PsillosScience Does Not Discover the Truth about Reality, Darrell P. RowbottomResponses:Rowbottom’s Response to Psillos Psillos’s Response to Rowbottom6. Are Scientific Explanations Limited to Natural Causes?Scientific Explanations Are Limited to Natural Causes, Robert C. BishopScientific Explanations Are Not Limited to Natural Causes, Bruce L. GordonResponses:Gordon’s Response to BishopBishop’s Response to GordonEssay SuggestionsFor Further ReadingPart II: Problems in MetaphysicsIntroduction to Part II, Steven B. Cowan7. Are There Universals?There Are Universals, Paul GouldThere Are No Universals, Guido ImaguireResponses:Imaguire’s Response to Gould Gould’s Response to Imaguire8. What Is the Mind? The Mind is Material, Andrew MelnykThe Mind is Immaterial, Charles TaliaferroResponses:Taliaferro’s Response to Melnyk Melnyk’s Response to Taliaferro9. Is Freedom Compatible with Determinism? Freedom Is Not Compatible with Determinism, Christopher FranklinFreedom Is Compatible with Determinism, Steven B. CowanResponses:Cowan’s Response to FranklinFranklin’s Response to Cowan10. Does God Exist?God Exists, Joshua RasmussenGod Does Not Exist, Bruce RussellResponses:Russell’s Response to RasmussenRasmussen’s Response to RussellEssay SuggestionsFor Further ReadingIndex

Cowan’s text is a one-stop shop for introductory philosophy instructors and students, featuring both excerpts from classic philosophical texts and contemporary discussions which will bring students up to speed on the current state of each debate. This unique format reinforces for readers the fact that to study philosophy is to enter into a conversation as long as human history itself.