What to Believe Now: Applying Epistemology to Contemporary Issues

“This book implements an excellent idea. The idea is that applied epistemology is worth pursuing. Applied epistemology, like applied ethics, employs philosophical resources toward solving real-world problems.  What To Believe Now defends provocative views…  If the book encourages further work in applied epistemology, then it will have accomplished considerable good.”  (Earl Conee, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews, 1 January 2013)

“Since it addresses topics of considerable importance, it should command, if not a mass audience, then one that reaches well outside the narrow confines of academic philosophy. Those particularly likely to find it useful include political theorists, students of social networks, and perhaps some policy makers.”  (Danny Yee's Book Reviews, 2012)

'What should we believe?' This is one of the core questions of epistemology, but it is often discussed in the abstract as if it were a question of purely theoretical interest arising for agents living nowhere and nowhen. David Coady takes epistemology out of the study and into the streets  by asking what  we   (as citizens of a more-or-less democratic societies) should believe now  (in the early 21st Century) about matters of political pith and moment.  A fine book, a fun book, and a book which might actually do a bit of good.

Charles Pigden, University of Otago

This original and accessible work advances applied epistemology with vivid examples, and provocative and balanced commentary. A terrific stimulus to reflection, discussion, and improved critical thought about everyday issues.

Jonathan Adler, The City University of New York