The Dissenter

#958 Robin McKenna: Non-Ideal Epistemology

Jun 24, 2024
Dr. Robin McKenna discusses non-ideal epistemology, contrasting it with ideal theory. Topics include ethical implications, feminist epistemology, and challenges in identifying expertise. The episode explores forming true beliefs in a world of misinformation, individualized epistemic responsibilities, engaging with challenges to beliefs, and the impact of online presence.
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INSIGHT

Ideal vs. Non-Ideal Epistemology

  • Ideal epistemology constructs idealized models of inquiry, assuming perfect information sharing and access.
  • Non-ideal epistemology examines actual inquiries, acknowledging imperfections and biases to derive practical norms.
INSIGHT

The Applicability of Ideal Theory

  • Non-ideal epistemology doesn't reject ideal theory entirely; idealized models can be useful in specific contexts like AI.
  • However, applying idealized models to real-world political problems becomes problematic due to inherent human limitations.
INSIGHT

Ethical and Political Dimensions

  • Non-ideal epistemology is inherently ethical and political, blurring the lines between epistemological and ethical/political questions.
  • Analyzing science denial, like climate change denial, requires both epistemological and ethical/political considerations.
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