Quine's Naturalism: Language, Theory and the Knowing Subject (Continuum Studies in American Philosophy, 9)

W. V. Quine was the most important naturalistic philosopher of the twentieth century and a major impetus for the recent resurgence of the view that empirical science is our best avenue to knowledge. His views, however, have not been well understood. Critics charge that Quine's naturalized epistemology is circular and that it cannot be normative. Yet, such criticisms stem from a cluster of fundamental traditional assumptions regarding language, theory, and the knowing subject - the very presuppositions that Quine is at pains to reject. Through investigation of Quine's views regarding language, knowledge, and reality, the author offers a new interpretation of Quine's naturalism. The naturalism/anti-naturalism debate can be advanced only by acknowledging and critiquing the substantial theoretical commitments implicit in the traditional view. Gregory argues that the responses to the circularity and non-normativity objections do just that. His analysis further reveals that Quine's departure from the tradition penetrates the conception of the knowing subject, and he thus offers a new and engaging defence of Quine's naturalism. W. V. Quine was the most important naturalistic philosopher of the twentieth century and a major impetus for the recent resurgence of the view that empirical science is our best avenue to knowledge. His views, however, have not been well understood. Critics charge that Quine's naturalized epistemology is circular and that it cannot be normative. Yet, such criticisms stem from a cluster of fundamental traditional assumptions regarding language, theory, and the knowing subject - the very presuppositions that Quine is at pains to reject. Through investigation of Quine's views regarding language, knowledge, and reality, the author offers a new interpretation of Quine's naturalism. The naturalism/anti-naturalism debate can be advanced only by acknowledging and critiquing the substantial theoretical commitments implicit in the traditional view. Gregory argues that the responses to the circularity and non-normativity objections do just that. His analysis further reveals that Quine's departure from the tradition penetrates the conception of the knowing subject, and he thus offers a new and engaging defence of Quine's naturalism. Through Investigation Of Quine's Views Regarding Language, Knowledge And Reality, The Author Offers A New Interpretation Of Quine's Naturalism. Epistemology Naturalized And Naturalized Epistemology -- Language, Theory, And Beginning In Mediis Rebus -- Circularity And Beginning In Mediis Rebus -- Normativity And Objectivity -- Changing The Subject. Paul A. Gregory. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [133]-142) And Index. Contents Chapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 “Epistemology Naturalized” and Naturalized Epistemology Chapter 3 Language, Theory, and Beginning In Mediis Rebus Chapter 4 Circularity and Beginning In Mediis Rebus Chapter 5 Normativity and Objectivity Chapter 6 Changing the Subject Notes References Index A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P Q R S T U W W V Quine was the most important naturalistic philosopher of the twentieth century and a major impetus for the resurgence of the view that empirical science is our best avenue to knowledge. This book examines Quine's naturalism.