Episode Description:
Distinguished Professor of Philosophy and Director of the interdisciplinary Center for Knowledge, Technology & Science. He was previously Professor of Philosophy and Director of the interdisciplinary Eidyn research centre at the University of Edinburgh.He mostly works in epistemology, and as written on many topics in this field, including radical skepticism, theory of knowledge, virtue epistemology, modal epistemology, epistemic luck/risk, social epistemology, understanding, inquiry, know-how, and so on. He’s also interested in topics that explore epistemological ideas in particular domains, such as law, education, religion, healthcare, and cognitive science. Relatedly, he’s been involved with a number of projects in applied philosophy, such as bringing the teaching of philosophy into Scottish prisons, exploring the role of extended cognition in special needs education, and incorporating the intellectual virtues into the heart of the UCI curriculum. He’s also done a lot of MOOCs, most recently this one.
Duncan Pritchard delves into the intricacies of epistemology, exploring the nature of knowledge, truth, and the importance of intellectual virtues. He shares his personal journey into philosophy, the role of education in cultivating character, and the transformative power of philosophy in various contexts, including prisons. The conversation also addresses the challenges posed by AI and technology, the significance of understanding luck in knowledge acquisition, and the need for a deeper appreciation of human existence. He emphasizes the importance of caring for the truth and fostering intellectual character as essential components for personal and societal flourishing.
To learn more about the Anteater Virtues project go to:
https://anteatervirtues.uci.edu/
To listen on Spotify go to:
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Epistemology and Personal Journey
02:34 The Role of Education in Intellectual Character
06:48 Understanding Knowledge and Truth
10:16 Cultivating Intellectual Virtues
16:55 Philosophy in Prisons: Transformative Education
22:52 Cross-Cultural Applications of Intellectual Virtues
29:09 The Impact of AI on Knowledge and Character
35:21 Virtue Signaling and the Pursuit of Truth
40:16 The Challenges of Centralization in Education
43:34 Teaching Intellectual Virtues to Younger Generations
48:37 Exploring Epistemic Luck
53:00 The Psychology of Luck and Perspective
55:27 Neuroscience and Free Will
01:01:13 The Mystery of Human Existence
01:04:52 Influences and Recommendations in Epistemology
01:07:59 Final Thoughts on Truth and Character