Review of Fundamental Uncertainty.

LessWrong is reviewing a new book on epistemology—how we know what we know. The argument: fundamental uncertainty is built into all human knowledge because the methods we use to justify our beliefs ultimately rest on assumptions about those very methods. We prove logic is reliable using logic itself. We test observation by observing. That circularity means absolute certainty is impossible. But the book argues we're not paralyzed by it. Instead, we make pragmatic assumptions that let us make progress and achieve real results, even without perfect truth. The review notes different worldviews—scientists, philosophers, believers—handle this uncertainty very differently.

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