Publication Type

Book Chapter

Version

acceptedVersion

Publication Date

10-2015

Abstract

This paper advances the claim that skilful reflection is a master virtue in that skilful reflection shapes and corrects the other epistemic and intellectual virtues. We make the case that skilful reflection does this with both competence-based epistemic virtues and character-based intellectual virtues. In making the case that skilful reflection is a master virtue, we identify the roots of ideas central to our thesis in Confucian philosophy. In particular, we discuss the Confucian conception of reflection, as well as different levels of epistemic virtue. Next we set out the Dual Process Hypothesis of Reflection, which provides an explanation of the workings of reflection in relation to Type 1 and Type 2 cognitive processes. In particular, we flag how repetition of Type 2 processes may eventually shape Type 1 processes and produce what we call downstream reflection. We distinguish competence-based epistemic virtues from character-based intellectual virtues. We also explain how our metacognition account of reflection, drawing on a Confucian conception of reflection and the Dual Process Hypothesis of Reflection, explains skilful reflection as a master virtue. Finally we outline an application of our metacognition account of reflection to a current debate in epistemology.

Keywords

Skilful reflection, master virtue, epistemic virtues, intellectual virtues, Confucian philosophy, reflection, epistemic virtue, Dual Process Hypothesis, Type 1 cognitive processes, Type 2 cognitive processes, downstream reflection, metacognition, current debate in epistemology

Discipline

Epistemology

Research Areas

Humanities

Publication

Moral and Intellectual Virtues in Western and Chinese Philosophy

Editor

Chienkuo Mi, Michael Slote and Ernest Sosa

First Page

34

Last Page

48

ISBN

978-1-138-92516-8

Publisher

Routledge

City or Country

Abingdon, UK

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Epistemology Commons

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