Current Research Outside Epistemology
In addition to my research projects in epistemology, I have also undertaken projects in early modern philosophy. My main project in modern philosophy focuses on Hume’s epistemology. One of the main interpretive puzzles in Hume concerns how best to reconcile his naturalism and skepticism. My research defends the thesis that a key aspect of Hume’s epistemology is a sophisticated externalist account of epistemic defeat. When this account of defeat is combined with his psychology of reflection it directly supports the importance of epistemic humility. This explains the skeptical passages we find in the Treatise. Hume’s skeptical passages are not in tension with his naturalism and externalism, but are rather an illustration of how his naturalism and externalism together vindicate epistemic humility as a critical epistemic virtue.
My work in modern philosophy has had a tremendous impact on my contemporary work as well. For instance, due to my work on Hume I am now developing some work discussing the importance of studying skepticism. I argue that one of the values of studying skepticism is that it promotes the virtue of intellectual humility. After presenting the case for such a connection I also discuss the nature of this humility, its connection to other intellectual virtues such as open-mindedness, and discuss its relevance to our current social context (especially how we approach issues within the political realm).
My work in modern philosophy has had a tremendous impact on my contemporary work as well. For instance, due to my work on Hume I am now developing some work discussing the importance of studying skepticism. I argue that one of the values of studying skepticism is that it promotes the virtue of intellectual humility. After presenting the case for such a connection I also discuss the nature of this humility, its connection to other intellectual virtues such as open-mindedness, and discuss its relevance to our current social context (especially how we approach issues within the political realm).
