Tracking Truth: Knowledge, Evidence, and Science

Tracking Truth: A New Approach to Knowledge and Evidence Sherrilyn Roush presents a unified treatment of knowledge, evidence, and epistemological realism and anti-realism about scientific theories. This new account of knowledge offers a fresh perspective on the nature of truth and how it is acquired. At its core, tracking theory posits that knowledge has the property of closure under known implication, allowing us to follow the truth through time and changing circumstances. Roush defends a confirmation theory based on the Likelihood Ratio, providing a deep explanation of why having better evidence makes one more likely to have knowledge. This approach also sheds new light on skepticism, reflective knowledge, lottery propositions, and the relationship between knowledge and power. By evaluating realist claims in a piecemeal fashion according to a general standard of evidence, Roush offers a nuanced understanding of epistemological realism about scientific theories. This book provides a comprehensive exploration of the nature of truth and how it is acquired, making it an essential read for anyone interested in philosophy and epistemology.