Empathic Receptivity as a Source of Epistemic Justification

This chapter develops a rich account of empathic receptivity, connecting it with the Principle of Unlimited Inquiry, which was introduced by Michael Slote as a response to skepticism. Using this enriched conception, it shows the contribution that empathic receptivity can make to epistemic justification in testimonial exchanges, thus advancing sentimentalist epistemology, which holds that empathic receptivity is a source of epistemic justification. Because epistemic justification is context-dependent, and the possibility of other contexts cannot be fully excluded, it is crucial to remain open to the possibility of inquiry. I argue that empathic receptivity—or the understanding of others’ perspectives with due respect—is crucial for maintaining openness to inquiry. It accomplishes this by enabling sensitivity to contextual changes and facilitating further inquiry. In this light, empathic receptivity has epistemic significance, providing prima facie epistemic justification. This chapter thus expands on the justificatory role of receptivity within the epistemic domain, a clarification that care ethicists have not yet fully provided.