Alvin Goldman

Alvin Ira Goldman (October 1, 1938 – August 4, 2024) was an American philosopher. He was emeritus Board of Governors Professor of Philosophy and Cognitive Science at Rutgers University in New Jersey and a prominent figure in epistemology. Goldman's early work included *A Theory of Human Action*, which classified actions and influenced thinkers like John Rawls. He later shifted focus to epistemology, contributing significantly to naturalized epistemology with concepts like causation and reliability, responding to the Gettier problem. His work explored knowledge and justified belief, using notions beyond normative concepts. Goldman also delved into social epistemology, examining knowledge transmission in law, voting, and media. He sought to bridge philosophy with cognitive and social sciences through works like *Knowledge in a Social World* and *Simulating Minds*.