Curiosity as an Epistemic Virtue

✍ Scribed by Nenad Miščević

• Publisher: Springer International Publishing;Palgrave Macmillan
• Year: 2020
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 267
• Series: Palgrave Innovations in Philosophy
• Edition: 1st ed.
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

This book explores curiosity from a normative epistemological viewpoint. Taking into account recent developments in the psychology of curiosity, as well as research on the nature and motivation of scientific inquiry, Miščević identifies curiosity as a positive and vital character trait. Key topics covered include:

· Curiosity as a subject in the history of philosophy

· Curiosity as a possible ethical virtue

· The importance of curiosity about oneself

· Whether curiosity is good in itself or only as a means to an end (e.g. in the pursuit of truth).

The book begins with a brief historical overview, before turning to the nature of curiosity from both a psychological and philosophical viewpoint. Curiosity is revealed as a crucial instrument in the advancement of science and wisdom, as well as within the wider picture of meaningful human life. Miščević skilfully defends the idea that curiosity motivates and organises our cognitive abilities, playing the central role in our cognitive lives.

✦ Table of Contents

Front Matter ....Pages i-xi
Front Matter ....Pages 1-1
Introduction (Nenad Miščević)....Pages 3-15
History: How It All Started (Nenad Miščević)....Pages 17-36
Nature and Kinds of Curiosity (Nenad Miščević)....Pages 37-57
Front Matter ....Pages 59-59
Is Curiosity a Virtue? (Nenad Miščević)....Pages 61-78
The Motivating Virtue Account (Nenad Miščević)....Pages 79-93
Defending the Motivating Virtue Account (Nenad Miščević)....Pages 95-109
Epistemic Value (Nenad Miščević)....Pages 111-141
Front Matter ....Pages 143-143
Cognitive Psychology of Curiosity (Nenad Miščević)....Pages 145-161
The Curiosity of Science (Nenad Miščević)....Pages 163-190
Self-inquisitiveness: The Structure and Role of an Epistemic Virtue (Nenad Miščević)....Pages 191-225
Conclusion and Tasks Ahead (Nenad Miščević)....Pages 227-251
Back Matter ....Pages 253-268

✦ Subjects

Philosophy; Epistemology; Philosophy of Science; Philosophy of Mind