Vices of the Mind

From the Intellectual to the Political

By: Quassim Cassam

Narrated by: Matthew Waterson

Epistemic vices are character traits, attitudes, or thinking styles that prevent us from gaining, keeping, or sharing knowledge. In this book, Quassim Cassam gives an account of the nature and importance of these vices, which include closed-mindedness, intellectual arrogance, wishful thinking, and prejudice. In providing the first extensive coverage of vice epistemology, an exciting new area of philosophical research, Vices of the Mind uses real examples drawn primarily from the world of politics to develop a compelling theory of epistemic vice.

Cassam defends the view that as well as getting in the way of knowledge these vices are blameworthy or reprehensible. Key events such as the 2003 Iraq War and the 2016 Brexit vote, and notable figures including Donald Trump, are analyzed in detail to illustrate what epistemic vice looks like in the modern world. The traits covered in this landmark work include a hitherto unrecognized epistemic vice called "epistemic insouciance."

Cassam examines both the extent to which we are responsible for our failings and the factors that make it difficult to know our own vices.

©2019 Quassim Cassam (P)2019 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Great, Clear Introduction to Vice Epistemology

This book was an enjoyable listen. Cassam is clear and precise, but accessible and engaging. I think I may use sections of the printed version for a philosophy course that I'm teaching this fall.