The Philosophy Of Curiosity: Routledge Studies In Contemporary Philosophy Paperback

India

Ilhan Inan

In this book, Ilhan Inan questions the classical definition of curiosity as a desire to know. Working in an area where epistemology and philosophy of language overlap, Inan forges a link between our ability to become aware of our ignorance and our linguistic aptitude to construct terms referring to things unknown. The book introduces the notion of inostensible reference (or reference to the unknown). Ilhan connects this notion to related concepts in philosophy of language: knowledge by acquaintance and knowledge by description; the referential and the attributive uses of definite descriptions; the de re/de dicto distinction; and Kripke's distinction between rigid and accidental designators.

1138098663

9781138098664

English

Taylor & Francis Ltd

23 Jun 2017

Ilhan Inan is a Professor of Philosophy at Bogazici University, Turkey.

As the first book-length philosophical treatment of curiosity, this volume brings together epistemology and philosophy of language to the benefit of both disciplines. It is tightly argued, informative, and very timely. It will become standard reading on the topic. -- Dennis Whitcomb, Western Washington University, USA