Abstract

This paper explores the most relevant proposals involving the notion of Open-Mindedness present in contemporary philosophy. After a short historical introduction, which allows us to establish some of the basic components of the notion of Open-mindedness, the paper presents the current theoretical context of the discussion: virtue epistemology. Two types of theories of Open-Mindedness are distinguished and reasons are given for focusing on one of them, whose three most relevant cases in the current literature are critically presented. The article discusses the most significant challenges that theories of Open-Mindedness must face and draws some conclusions mainly regarding the interrelationships between epistemic virtues and the notion of wisdom. The article concludes with two points regarding the relationship between Open-Mindedness and education, which are analyzed in the light of the previous discussion: the first concerns the possibility of teaching to be open-minded and the second concerns the compatibility of Open-Mindedness with education. | Keywords: open-mindedness, virtue epistemology, epistemic virtues, intellectual humility, wisdom, education