Knowledge as acceptable testimony

With this self-contained, introductory text, readers will easily understand the fundamentals of microwave and radar image generation. Written with the complete novice in mind, and including an easy-to-follow introduction to electromagnetic scattering theory, it covers key topics such as forward models of scattering for interpreting S-parameter and time-dependent voltage data, S-parameters and their analytical sensitivity formulae, basic methods for real-time image reconstruction using frequency-sweep and pulsed-radar signals, and metrics for evaluating system performance. Numerous application examples and practical tutorial exercises provided throughout allow quick understanding of key concepts, and sample MATLAB codes implementing key reconstruction algorithms accompany the book online. This one-stop resource is ideal for graduate students taking introductory courses in microwave imaging, as well as researchers and industry professionals wanting to learn the fundamentals of the field.;Cover; Half-title ; Title page ; Copyright information ; Table of contents ; Acknowledgments ; 1 Social Norms, Knowledge, and Philosophy ; A Social Norm for Testimony ; Could That Be Philosophy? ; State-of-Nature Thought Experiments ; Empirical Philosophy? ; Experimental Philosophy. Cover Half-title Title page Copyright information Table of contents Acknowledgments 1 Social Norms, Knowledge, and Philosophy A Social Norm for Testimony Could That Be Philosophy? State-of-Nature Thought Experiments Empirical Philosophy? Experimental Philosophy. Preview of the State-of-Nature Argument Preview of Problems about Knowledge 2 What Is Knowledge? An Answer That Gives Its Function Craig's State-of-Nature Thought Experiment Modifications to Craig's Thought Experiment What Could Be Asked in the State of Nature? Answers to the Questions Choosing among Conflicting Answers 3 Developing a Concept of Knowledge An Inquirer's First Steps toward a Concept of Knowledge Lots of Work and Testimonial Norms Motivation for Self-Evaluation Gnowledge Gnowledge and Failed Gnowledge. 4 Is That Our Concept of Knowledge? Truth? Gettier Examples and Justification Testimonial Norms and Gettier Stories Why We Should Say Only What We Believe Summary of the State-of-Nature Argument Is Knowledge a Natural Kind? Non-Propositional Objects of Knowledge. 5 What Is Justified Belief? Other Complex Social Norms Justified Belief Is Justification Clearer than Appearance? Clarifying Appearances Appearance of Oneself Knowing? 6 Justified Belief Is the Appearance of Knowledge If It Appears to the Subject to Be Knowledge. Standard philosophical explanations of the concept of knowledge invoke a personal goal of having true beliefs, and explain the other requirements for knowledge as indicating the best way to achieve that goal. In this highly original book, Steven L. Reynolds argues instead that the concept of knowledge functions to express a naturally developing kind of social control, a complex social norm, and that the main purpose of our practice of saying and thinking that people 'know' is to improve our system for exchanging information, which is testimony. He makes illuminating comparisons of the knowledge norm of testimony with other complex social norms - such as those requiring proper clothing, respectful conversation, and the complementary virtues of tact and frankness - and shows how this account fits with our concept of knowledge as studied in recent analytic epistemology. His book will interest a range of readers in epistemology, psychology, and sociology. Social Norms, Knowledge, And Philosophy -- What Is Knowledge? -- Developing A Concept Of Knowledge -- Is That Our Concept Of Knowledge? -- What Is Justified Belief? -- Justified Belief Is The Appearance Of Knowledge --testimonial Knowledge And Social Norms -- Knowledge From Testimony -- Doxastic Voluntarism And Epistemic Evaluations -- Why We Should Prefer Knowledge. Steven Reynolds, Arizona State University. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 207-213) And Index. This book argues that the main purpose of saying people 'know' is to improve our system for exchanging information, and that comparisons with social norms can explain puzzling features of our philosophical concept of knowledge. The volume will appeal to epistemologists and to those interested in sociology and psychology.