How do you know your own thoughts and feelings? Do we have âprivileged accessâ to our own minds? Does introspection provide a grasp of a thinking self or âIâ? The problem of self-knowledge is one of the most fascinating in all of philosophy and has crucial significance for the philosophy of mind and epistemology. In this outstanding introduction Brie Gertler assesses the leading theoretical approaches to self-knowledge explaining the work of many of the key figures in the field: from Descartes and Kant through to Bertrand Russell and Gareth Evans as well as recent work by Tyler Burge David Chalmers William Lycan and Sydney Shoemaker. Beginning with an outline of the distinction between self-knowledge and self-awareness and providing essential historical background to the problem Gertler addresses specific theories of self-knowledge such as the acquaintance theory the inner sense theory and the rationalist theory as well as leading accounts of self-awareness. The book concludes with a critical explication of the dispute between empiricist and rationalist approaches. Including helpful chapter summaries annotated further reading and a glossary Self Knowledge is essential reading for those interested in philosophy of mind epistemology and personal identity. . Language: English