Skepticism Motivated: On the Skeptical Import of Motivated Reasoning

McKenna, Robin and Carter, J Adam (2020) Skepticism Motivated: On the Skeptical Import of Motivated Reasoning Canadian Journal of Philosophy, 50 (6). pp. 702-718. ISSN 0045-5091, 1911-0820

Access the full-text of this item by clicking on the Open Access link.

Text SkepticalImportofMotivatedReasoningFINAL.docx - Author Accepted Manuscript Download (85kB)

Abstract

Empirical work on motivated reasoning suggests that our judgments are influenced to a surprising extent by our wants, desires, and preferences (Kahan 2016; Lord, Ross, and Lepper 1979; Molden and Higgins 2012; Taber and Lodge 2006). How should we evaluate the epistemic status of beliefs formed through motivated reasoning? For example, are such beliefs epistemically justified? Are they candidates for knowledge? In liberal democracies, these questions are increasingly controversial as well as politically timely (Beebe et al. 2018; Lynch Forthcoming, 2018; Slothuus and de Vreese 2010). And yet, the epistemological significance of motivated reasoning has been almost entirely ignored by those working in mainstream epistemology. We aim to rectify this oversight. Using politically motivated reasoning as a case study, we show how motivated reasoning gives rise to three distinct kinds of skeptical challenges. We conclude by showing how the skeptical import of motivated reasoning has some important ramifications for how we should think about the demands of intellectual humility.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	5003 Philosophy, 50 Philosophy and Religious Studies, 5001 Applied Ethics
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	09 Mar 2020 11:17
Last Modified:	24 Jan 2026 02:27
DOI:	10.1017/can.2020.16
Open Access URL:	https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/canadian-j...
Related Websites:	Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3078309
Disclaimer:	The University of Liverpool is not responsible for content contained on other websites from links within repository metadata. Please contact us if you notice anything that appears incorrect or inappropriate.