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Prof. Dr. Torsten Wilholt, 'on the Purely Instrumental Value of True Belief'
Prof. Dr. Torsten Wilholt, Leibniz Universitat Hannover, will delilver this public lecture. Epistemologists widely hold that true belief must have some value, as truth is the goal of inquiry.
My aim in this talk is twofold: First, to give an analysis of the value of true belief in so far as it is implied by the idea that inquiry is directed at the truth. What kinds of valuations and which valuations exactly are implicit in this idea? In a second step, I will argue that these valuations are purely instrumental in character. In order to support this claim, I will show that although the value of true belief is inherent in inquiry (in a sense that can be made precise by means of the analysis given in the first step), it is consistent with this that the valuations and preferences involved are all held for purely instrumental reasons. I will also argue that the most common motivation for postulating an intrinsic value of true belief rests on a mistake. Intrinsic value is most commonly introduced in order to account for a whole range of human cognitive activities that (apparently) defy considerations of utility. Rather than trying to set out how these activities can be explained and justified through the instrumental value of the truths they pursue, I will argue that they can not satisfactorily be explained or justified on the basis of an alleged intrinsic value of true belief. Refreshments provided. Please confirm attendance by contacting the Centre Administrator at n.j.craigs@durham.ac.uk
Contact n.j.craigs@durham.ac.uk for more information about this event.
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