Title: Attention and epistemic responsibility
Abstract: I will defend an attention-based epistemology that complements, and in some cases replaces, traditional belief-based accounts of epistemic achievements and abilities. One of the main arguments I present is that, given the importance of mental action as a key concept that defines central epistemic notions, such as inference, an epistemology based on attention is preferable to the traditional one, based on phenomenal consciousness, conscious intuition, or explicit belief. The main theme of the talk will be the nature of inferential reasoning. I explore other areas of epistemology in which attention may shed new light on longstanding problems. The conclusion is that attention provides fertile ground for rethinking and reevaluating philosophical debates.
If you would like to attend this event virtually by Zoom, please contact Drew Johnson at the Department of Philosophy, Classics, History of Art and Ideas.