ParagonProtege comments on Open thread, October 2011 - Less Wrong

5 Post author: MarkusRamikin 02 October 2011 09:05AM

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Comment author: [deleted] 16 October 2011 08:33:57PM *  2 points [-]

I'm working to improve my knowledge of epistemology. Can anyone recommend a good reference/text book on the subject? I'm especially looking to better understand LW's approach to epistemology (or an analogous approach) in a rigorous, scholarly way.

Until recently, I was a traditional rationalist. Epistemologically speaking, I was a foundationalist with belief in a priori knowledge. Through recent studying of Bayes, Quine, etc., these beliefs have been strongly challenged. I have been left with a feeling of cognitive dissidence.

I'd really appreciate if my thinking on epistemology can be set straight. While I think I understand the basics, I feel like a lack of coherent epistemology is really infecting the rest of my thinking.

[I'm having trouble explaining exactly what I'm looking for while still being concise. If you have any questions about my request, please feel free to ask.]

Edit: I've recently picked up a copy of Probability Theory: The Logic of Science by E. T. Jaynes. I've heard his name referenced a lot of LW and the reviews of the book are glowing. I'm going to read it to see if I can get a better understanding of probability theory, as it seems essential to the LW approach to epistemology.

Suggestions of other books are still very much appreciated.

Comment author: [deleted] 19 October 2011 04:15:42PM 3 points [-]

Update: I've stopped reading Probability Theory, as it is too advanced for me. I'll shore up my knowledge of more basic probability first, and then go back to it.