cognitive-realism
The philosophical stance that knowledge and cognition relate to real things and that our conceptions can be corrected or improved in relation to reality.
2 chapters across 1 book
Epistemology: An Introduction to the Theory of Knowledge (2003)Nicholas Rescher
Chapter 18 of Nicholas Rescher's 'Epistemology: An Introduction to the Theory of Knowledge' focuses on cognitive realism and the nature of knowledge, particularly propositional knowledge. It emphasizes the importance of understanding knowledge as a condition rather than an activity, highlights the centrality of questions in epistemology, and outlines the key features of knowledge including truth commitment, grounding, and reflexivity. The chapter also distinguishes between different types of knowledge and stresses the pragmatic and conceptual foundations of realism in knowledge discourse.
This chapter explores the foundational question of why and how nature is rationally intelligible, enabling the possibility of natural science. It examines the interplay between human cognitive faculties and the structure of nature, addressing the limits of knowledge, the diversity of scientific approaches, and the philosophical grounding of realism. The discussion culminates in a synthesis of perspectives that justify the pursuit of scientific knowledge despite inherent cognitive constraints.