How to Know Our Limits

Abstract

Chapters 5 through 9 of this book defend a method to think about our opinions concerning controversial questions. The method offers us insights into the epistemic status of our controversial opinions. This chapter introduces key concepts and terminology: belief and controversial belief; unreasonableness and defeaters; positive epistemic status; competence defeaters; and the “doxastically open” mindset people may adopt if they are guided by the method’s principles.