The Mismeasure of the Self

Alessandra Tanesini is Professor of Philosophy at Cardiff University. She is the author of An Introduction to Feminist Epistemologies (Blackwell, 1999), Wittgenstein: A Feminist Interpretation (Polity, 2004), and of several articles in epistemology, feminist philosophy, the philosophy of mind and language, and on Nietzsche. Her current work lies at the intersection of ethics, the philosophy of language, and epistemology with a focus on epistemic vice, silencing, prejudice, and ignorance.

• 1: The Measure and Mis-measure of the Self Part I: The Philosophy and Psychology of Intellectual Vice 2: Intellectual Virtues and Vices: Sensibilities, Thinking Styles and Character Traits 3: Attitude Psychology and Virtue Epistemology: A New Framework Part II: Virtues and Vices of Intellectual self-evaluation 4: Intellectual Humility, Proper Pride and Proper Concern with Others' Esteem 5: Superbia, Arrogance, Servility and Self-Abasement 6: Vanity, Narcissism, Timidity and Fatalism Part III: Epistemic Harms and Moral Wrongs 7: Harms and Wrongs 8: Wrongs, Responsibility, Blame and Oppression 9: Teaching Intellectual Virtues, Changing Attitudes

Tanesini has written an interesting, frighteningly relevant exploration of the virtues and vices that occupy the domain of epistemic self-evaluation, the measurement of oneself and one's capacities. Tanesini contends that those good at measuring their skills tend to achieve greater successes than those who mismeasure their capacities ... Engaging and relevant to many of today's pressing moral issues.