Virtue Epistemology and the Sources of Epistemic Value

Abstract

A basic question for virtue epistemology is whether it represents a 'third force'a different source of normativity to that offered by internalism and externalism. It is argued that virtue epistemology does not offer us a distinct source of normativity. It is also argued that virtue theories offer us nothing that can unify the internalist and externalist sub-components of their preferred state of 'virtue'. Claims that phronesis can unify a virtuesbased axiology are specifically opposed.