Three duties of epistemic diligence

Tim Hayward*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract / Description of output

Three duties of epistemic diligence are argued for, particularly regarding proposals for humanitarian intervention: the first is to avoid allowing oneself to be deceived or to deceive others; and the second is to check others are not misled. In circumstances where false claims are nonetheless accepted as a basis for deciding on action, the third duty is to seek to correct them. This is potentially more demanding in requiring the contribution of several experts and collaborative resolve to fulfil, so it cannot adequately be conceptualised on an individualistic model of responsibility. The argument developed is of a collective duty of co-responsibility that falls particularly on those entrusted collectively to underwrite knowledge claims – especially universities – and that devolves onto individuals via a principle of due responsiveness.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)536-561
Number of pages26
JournalJournal of Social Philosophy
Volume50
Issue number4
Early online date18 Dec 2019
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2019

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