Can Reason Criticize and Control Itself?
Self-control normally refers to reason’s ability to resist desires contrary to one’s judgment. My project is to complete a book on reason’s ability to control itself—to anticipate weaknesses in itself and to find ways to avoid or to mitigate them. The basic conceptual question is this: Since self-control by reason is self-control of reason, how can it be the judgment of reason (i.e. a reasoned judgment) not to listen to, or to censor, reason? The study develops a notion of epistemic authority (or deference) in relation to self-knowledge and forms of self-correction, and a new conception of fallibility.
|
Project fields:
Epistemology
Program:
Fellowships for University Teachers
Division:
Research Programs
|
Totals:
$40,000 (approved) $40,000 (awarded)
Grant period:
7/1/2008 – 6/30/2009
|