Sven Bernecker presents an analysis of the concept of propositional (or factual) memory, and examines a number of metaphysical and epistemological issues crucial to the understanding of memory. Bernecker argues that memory, unlike knowledge, implies neither belief nor justification. There are instances where memory, though hitting the mark of truth, succeeds in an epistemically defective way. This book shows that, contrary to received wisdom in epistemology, memory not only preserves epistemic features generated by other epistemic sources but also functions as a source of justification and knowledge. According to the causal theory of memory argued for in this book, the dependence of memory states on past representations supports counterfactuals of the form: if the subject hadn't represented a given proposition in the past he wouldn't represent it in the present. The book argues for a version of content externalism whereupon the individuation of memory contents depends on relations the subject bears to his past physical or social environment. Moreover, Bernecker shows that memory doesn't require identity, but only similarity, of past and present attitudes and contents. The notion of content similarity is explicated in terms of the entailment relation.
Les mer
Sven Bernecker presents a new causal theory of memory, examining a number of metaphysical and epistemological issues crucial to the understanding of propositional or factual memory. This book provides sophisticated and comprehensive coverage of a much neglected area of philosophy, and will also appeal to cognitive scientists and psychologists.
Les mer
Introduction ; 1. The Concept of Memory ; 2. Personal Identity and Memory ; 3. Remembering Without Knowing ; 4. In Defense of the Causal Theory of Memory ; 5. The Nature of Memory Causation ; 6. Pastist Externalism about Memory Content ; 7. In Defense of Pastist Externalism ; 8. The Authenticity of Memory ; 9. Concluding Remarks ; Bibliography ; Index
Les mer
offers a detailed and erudite philosophical study of propositional memory ... admirably and unashamedly ambitious.
A comprehensive, sophisticated and up-to-date philosophical analysis of memory This will be essential reading on a surprisingly neglected area of philosophy Will appeal to a broad interdisciplinary readership
Les mer
Sven Bernecker is Professor of Philosophy at the University of California Irvine. His main areas of research are epistemology, metaphysics and philosophy of mind, and he has published widely in these areas. He is the author of Reading Epistemology (Blackwell, 2006), The Metaphysics of Memory (Springer, 2008), and is the editor of Knowledge (with Fred Dretske, Oxford University Press, 2000) and The Routledge Companion to Epistemology (with Duncan Pritchard, Routledge, 2010).
Les mer
A comprehensive, sophisticated and up-to-date philosophical analysis of memory This will be essential reading on a surprisingly neglected area of philosophy Will appeal to a broad interdisciplinary readership
Les mer

Produktdetaljer

ISBN
9780199655472
Publisert
2012
Utgiver
Vendor
Oxford University Press
Vekt
326 gr
Høyde
215 mm
Bredde
140 mm
Dybde
15 mm
Aldersnivå
G, P, 01, 06
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Heftet
Antall sider
286

Forfatter

Om bidragsyterne

Sven Bernecker is Professor of Philosophy at the University of California Irvine. His main areas of research are epistemology, metaphysics and philosophy of mind, and he has published widely in these areas. He is the author of Reading Epistemology (Blackwell, 2006), The Metaphysics of Memory (Springer, 2008), and is the editor of Knowledge (with Fred Dretske, Oxford University Press, 2000) and The Routledge Companion to Epistemology (with Duncan Pritchard, Routledge, 2010).