ABSTRACT

Throughout philosophical history, there has been a recurring argument to the effect that determinism, naturalism, or both are self-referentially incoherent. By accepting determinism or naturalism, one allegedly acquires a reason to reject determinism or naturalism. The Epistemological Skyhook brings together, for the first time, the principal expressions of this argument, focusing primarily on the last 150 years. This book addresses the versions of this argument as presented by Arthur Lovejoy, A.E. Taylor, Kurt Gödel, C.S. Lewis, Norman Malcolm, Karl Popper, J.R. Lucas, William Hasker, Thomas Nagel, Alvin Plantinga, and others, along with the objections presented by their many detractors. It concludes by presenting a new version of the argument that synthesizes the best aspects of the others while also rendering the argument immune to some of the most significant objections made to it.

chapter |22 pages

Introduction to the Skyhook

chapter |23 pages

Defining Terms

chapter |17 pages

Paradox Lost

chapter |17 pages

Mental Problems

chapter |15 pages

Knowledge and Normativity

chapter |14 pages

Language Games

chapter |12 pages

Popper Function

chapter |13 pages

Being Thomas Nagel

chapter |22 pages

Leftovers

chapter |19 pages

Object Lessons

chapter |12 pages

Conclusions