The Epistemology Of Religious Disagreement

The opponent in either an ordinary or religious disagreement asserts you have made a mistake. To avoid mistakes we strive to have good justification for beliefs which holds us connected to them during difficult challenges, similar to how a good boat tether, pictured on this book's front cover, holds a valuable boat throughout the many stresses placed on it.

The problem is that an equivalently informed and capable opponent shows a possible mistake as relevant, and this ought to reduce confidence in the justification of the religious belief. The book develops, by looking at foundational issues in the theory of knowledge, an understanding of justification specifically designed to describe best exactly why this reduction happens.

Review: 'James Kraft's main goal - to explore constructive ways of managing epistemic disagreement in general and religious disagreement in particular - has never been more relevant. I'm impressed with his ability to simplify the concepts he discusses without sacrificing philosophical rigor. This book will be of value for those interested in epistemology, philosophical theology, or philosophy of religion.' - David Basinger, Professor of Philosophy, Roberts Wesleyan College 'James Kraft has produced a wonderfully readable treatment of a timely and important topic.

Anyone reading this book will learn a great deal, not just about the epistemology of religious disagreement, but also more generally about what is going on at the cutting-edge of contemporary epistemology. A fine book, and a delight to read.' - Duncan Pritchard, Chair in Epistemology, The University of Edinburgh