Epistemic Vices Analysis

The epistemic vices in which Jose Medina, a professor at Vanderbilt University, illustrates those of privilege possessing, epistemic arrogance, laziness, and closed-mindedness, are all prevalent throughout today's society. An example in which this is expressed is that of Anita Hill during the confirmation of Bush-nominated supreme court justice, Clarence Thomas. Hill accused Thomas of sexual harassment, but throughout his hearings her allegation was severely scrutinized and ultimately dismissed. Medina explains the three vices of the privileged as well as the causes of, or paths to, each. His explanation, specifically in regard to epistemic laziness and arrogance are relevant within the Clarence Thomas allegations. Many senators, as well as numerous outraged citizens claimed that her allegation was false and some even went as far as to disregard it completely. While a portion of those in support of Thomas had pertinent reasoning to refute Hills allegation, due to the fact that many others did not, it is correct to claim that Medina’s vices are prevalent in this case and thus in society today. …show more content…
Both vices and virtues are deeply embedded character traits that display a disposition to act, think, and feel in certain ways. An epistemic virtue is this form of character trait that produces a positive effect, whereas epistemic vices produces a negative effect. Focusing on epistemic vices, Medina writes that “Epistemic vices.. are flaws that are not incidental and transitory, but structural and systematic: they involve attitudes deeply rooted in one’s personality and cognitive functioning” (Medina 6). He continues on to explain that they affect every part of a person's ability to think, reason, and more importantly learn and share knowledge with