Political Epistemology by Hannon, Michael; Woodard, Elise;

Short description:

The ideal starting place for anyone studying this fascinating and rapidly growing topic, whether in epistemology, political philosophy or applied ethics. It will also be of interest to students and researchers in related fields, such as political science, law and public policy.

Long description:

The New Scientist recently declared that “Philosophers of knowledge, your time has come” and even Barack Obama has warned of an “epistemological crisis.” Following the election of Donald Trump for the second time, the rise of populism, and the proliferation of misinformation and conspiracy theories, epistemological questions are now forefront in our political lives. Can epistemology explain the challenges of "post-truth"? Does voter ignorance threaten democracy? Is political disagreement epistemically valuable or harmful?

This extremely timely introduction to political epistemology tackles these questions and many more. In a clear and engaging style, Michael Hannon and Elise Woodard examine the following key topics: the relation between truth and politics, including the arguments of Plato, Mill and Rawls; the epistemology of democracy, including questions about how democracies must be fair and representative and also make good decisions; how political ignorance may undermine democracy; irrationality and partisan bias; political belief and group loyalty; political disagreement and polarization; and the potential conflict between democracy and expert authority.

With the inclusion of chapter summaries and further reading, Political Epistemology: An Introduction is the ideal starting place for anyone studying this fascinating and rapidly growing topic, whether in epistemology, political philosophy, or applied ethics. It will also be of interest to students and researchers in related fields, such as political science, law, and public policy.

"This is a comprehensive and balanced introduction to political epistemology, impressive both for its breadth of coverage and the skill with which its authors reconstruct debates. It will be an excellent resource for students and scholars alike." - Sean Ingham, University of California San Diego, USA

"Hannon and Woodard have produced a truly excellent introduction to the new and exciting field of political epistemology. Are there political truths? Is political partisanship rational? What is the relationship between political knowledge and good citizenship? (How) can democracies harness the wisdom of crowds? If you’ve ever wondered about such questions, this book is for you. Written in a crisp and accessible way, it is ideal for undergraduate courses in philosophy or political science. But professional philosophers will get a lot out of the book too, because it sets the stage for several promising avenues for further research in the area." - Hrishikesh Joshi, University of Arizona, USA

Table of Contents:

Acknowledgements  Introduction  1. Truth and Politics  2. Epistemic Democracy  3. Epistemic Democracy Reconsidered  4. Political Ignorance  5. Irrationality and Bias  6. Political Belief  7. Political Disagreement  8. Polarization and Partisanship  9. Trust and Expertise  10. Rethinking Democracy.  Bibliography  Index