In Error, Nicholas Rescher presents a fresh analysis of the occurrence, causality, and consequences of error in human thought, action, and evaluation. Rescher maintains that error-avoidance and truth-achievement are distinct but equally important factors for rational inquiry, and that error is inherent in the human cognitive process (to err is human). He defines three main categories of error: cognitive (failure to realize truths); practical (failure related to the objective of an action); and axiological (failure in evaluation), and articulates the factors that contribute to each. His discussion also provides a historical perspective on the treatment of error in Greek philosophy, and by later thinkers such as Aquinas, Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz, James, Royce, Moore, and Russell.
Error is an important reexamination of the significance of error to the fields of philosophical anthropology, epistemology, ontology, and theology. As Rescher's study argues, truth and error are inexorably intertwined-one cannot exist without the other. Error is an unavoidable occurrence in the cognitive process-without missteps on the path to truth, truth itself cannot be attained. The risk of error is inherent in the quest for truth.
| ISBN: | 9780822960119 |
| Publication date: | 30th January 2009 |
| Author: | Nicholas Rescher |
| Publisher: | University of Pittsburgh Press |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Pagination: | 128 pages |
| Genres: |
Philosophy |
In Error, Nicholas Rescher presents a fresh analysis of the occurrence, causality, and consequences of error in human thought, action, and evaluation. Rescher maintains that error-avoidance and truth-achievement are distinct but equally important factors for rational inquiry, and that error is inherent in the human cognitive process (to err is human). He defines three main categories of error: cognitive (failure to realize truths); practical (failure related to the objective of an action); and axiological (failure in evaluation), and articulates the factors that contribute to each. His discussion also provides a historical perspective on the treatment of error in Greek philosophy, and by later thinkers such as Aquinas, Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz, James, Royce, Moore, and Russell.
Error is an important reexamination of the significance of error to the fields of philosophical anthropology, epistemology, ontology, and theology. As Rescher's study argues, truth and error are inexorably intertwined-one cannot exist without the other. Error is an unavoidable occurrence in the cognitive process-without missteps on the path to truth, truth itself cannot be attained. The risk of error is inherent in the quest for truth.
Error features in the following genres: Philosophy
Error is available in Paperback
Error was written by Nicholas Rescher and published by University of Pittsburgh Press
Error has 128 pages
£36.86