The epistemic virtues, as identified by virtue epistemologists, reflect their contention that belief is an ethical process, and thus susceptible to the intellectual virtue or vice of one's thought life. Epistemology is the branch of philosophy concerned with the question "How do we know?" Some epistemic virtues have been identified by W. Jay Wood, based on research into the medieval tradition. The list below substantially overlaps with his. Virtue epistemology refers to any number of modern epistemological approaches which approach contemporary problems by means of the intellectual virtues, either conceived of as faculties or exemplary traits. ... Virtue (Greek αρετη; Latin virtus) is moral excellence of a man or a woman. ... Vice is the opposite of virtue. ... Epistemology is an analytic branch of philosophy which studies the nature, origin, and scope of knowledge. ... The Philosopher (detail), by Rembrandt Philosophy is a study that includes various diverse subfields such as aesthetics, epistemology, ethics, logic, and metaphysics. ... The Middle Ages formed the middle period in a traditional schematic division of European history into three ages: the classical civilization of Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and modern times. ...

• attentiveness
• circumspection
• coachability
• creativity
• curiosity
• discernment
• discretion
• foresight
• intellectual honesty
• intellectual humility
• imaginativeness
• interpretive sensitivity
• objectivity
• perceptiveness
• prudence/practical wisdom
• studiousness
• tenacity
• truthfulness
• understanding
• wisdom
• warrant

Note that in this context curiosity bears the modern connotation of inquisitiveness, in contrast to the medieval connotation of attraction to unwholesome things. This articles neutrality is compromised by weasel words. Please see the relevant discussion on the talk page. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Look up Honesty in Wiktionary, the free dictionary Honesty, the quality of being honest, is a value which can be defined in multiple ways. ... Humility is the state of being humble. ... Objectivity has several meanings: Objectivity (philosophy) Objectivity (journalism) This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Look up Prudence and prudence in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Understanding is a psychological state in relation to an object or person whereby one is able to think about it and use concepts to be able to deal adequately with that object. ... Wisdom is the ability to make correct judgments and decisions. ...

These can be contrasted to the epistemic vices such as:

• close-mindedness
• curiosity [see below]
• intellectual dishonesty
• dogmatism
• epistemic blindness
• folly
• gullibility
• obtuseness
• self-deception
• superficiality of thought
• superstition
• willful naïveté
• wishful thinking

Note that in this context curiosity bears the medieval connotation of attraction to unwholesome things, in contrast to the positive studious (or perhaps inquisitive). Intellectual dishonesty nothing in this topic. ... // Dogma (the plural is either dogmata or dogmas) is belief or doctrine held by a religion, ideology or any kind of organization to be authoritative and not to be disputed or doubted. ... Broadway Tower, England The folly at Wimpole Hall, England High Service Water Tower (1895), Lawrence, Massachusetts. ... A common European superstition dictates that it is bad luck for a black cat to cross ones path. ...

See also

• Intellectual virtues
• Egocentricity

Character traits necessary for right action and correct thinking. ... Egocentrism is the practice of regarding oneself and ones own opinions or interests as most important. ...

External links

• Virtue Epistemology by John Greco

• The Crisis in Contemporary Epistemology by W. Jay Wood

• Epistemic akrasia (irrationality) as a deficit of virtue by Christopher Hookway

• Is Inclusion an Epistemic Virtue? by Harvey Siegel

• Review of James Montmarquet's Epistemic Virtue and Doxastic Responsibility by Jonathan L. Kvanvig