Problems with Intellectualism

In his most recent book, Know How, Stanley [Know how, Oxford University Press: Oxford, (2011b)] defends an Intellectualist account of knowledge how. In this paper, I will focus specifically on one claim that Stanley forwards in chapter one: I will focus on Stanley’s claim that automatic mechanisms can be used by the Intellectualist in order to terminate Ryle’s regress. I will argue that the proposed solution to the regress, regardless of how propositions are individuated, cannot provide an adequate Intellectualist account of skillful action. I should note that the solution to Ryle’s regress is central to the Intellectualist agenda. If Stanley fails to stop the regress or stops the regress by appealing to nonpropositional knowledge, then his Intellectualist project fails.