In this world there are things we know and things we do not know. But when can we say we know something? What does it take to have knowledge of something?
To answer the question if justified true belief is the same as knowledge, we need to understand the tripartite analysis of knowledge. This is the classical analysis when we are talking about knowledge, which defines knowledge as justified, true, belief. Here we will get the notions of truth, belief and justification.
After having defined knowledge as to be justified true belief, we will have to look at opponent’s point of view, specifically at the Gettier Cases. I will analyze them and show how they are not a valid refutation of the tripartite analysis since this argumentation involves veritic luck.
After having the notions of the JTB analysis and having seen an opposition to it, created by Gettier, it is necessary to analyze whether Gettier’s objection is a valid one or not. Therefore, we will look at the Goldman analysis of reliabilism, which is supposed to object Gettier’s objection against the JTB analysis. For the purpose of this paper, I will only focus on Gettier’s first case and show how it is not valid when we take a reliabilist’s point of view on this.
The conclusion I aim to achieve in this paper, is to show how the JTB analysis can be refined with the help of the reliabilism and show how its definition is not refutable only through Gettier’s cases.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Knowledge as Justified True Belief
- Truth
- Belief
- Justification
- The Gettier Cases
- Reliabilism
- Objection
- Goldman's reliabilism
- Veritic luck vs. Goldman's reliabilism
- Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
The objective of this paper is to examine the classical tripartite analysis of knowledge (Justified True Belief or JTB) and assess its validity in light of Gettier's critique. It aims to demonstrate how the JTB analysis can be refined and defended against objections by incorporating the principles of reliabilism.
- The Tripartite Analysis of Knowledge (JTB)
- Gettier Problems and their challenge to JTB
- The concept of Veritic Luck
- Reliabilism as a response to Gettier's critique
- Refinement of the JTB analysis through reliabilism
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage by questioning the definition of knowledge. It introduces the central question of whether justified true belief constitutes knowledge and outlines the paper's structure. The author establishes the tripartite analysis (JTB) as the framework for the discussion and foreshadows the examination of Gettier's objections and the reliabilist response.
Knowledge as Justified True Belief: This chapter delves into the three components of the JTB analysis: truth, belief, and justification. Each component is carefully explained with examples and counter-examples to illustrate the necessity of each condition for knowledge. The limitations of simply having a true belief without justification are emphasized through examples, highlighting the critical role of justification in establishing knowledge claims. The chapter lays the groundwork for understanding the subsequent discussion of Gettier's challenge to the JTB framework.
The Gettier Cases: This chapter presents Gettier's famous thought experiments, which challenge the sufficiency of the JTB analysis. The author focuses on Gettier's first case, explaining the scenario in detail and highlighting how it demonstrates that a justified true belief can be accidental, and thus not necessarily constitute knowledge. This section sets up the need for a more robust account of knowledge beyond the simple JTB framework. The chapter directly addresses the core argument that JTB is insufficient for knowledge.
Reliabilism: This section introduces reliabilism as a response to the Gettier problem. The author presents Goldman's reliabilist account, explaining how it addresses the issue of accidental truth highlighted in the Gettier cases. The discussion contrasts the concept of veritic luck with the reliabilist approach, emphasizing that reliable belief-forming processes are necessary for knowledge. The chapter develops an alternative framework, suggesting the necessity of reliable cognitive processes in establishing genuine knowledge.
Keywords
Knowledge, Justified True Belief (JTB), Gettier Problem, Veritic Luck, Reliabilism, Epistemology, Goldman, Justification, Belief, Truth.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the main topic of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive overview of the philosophical concept of knowledge, specifically focusing on the Justified True Belief (JTB) analysis and its challenges, particularly the Gettier problem. It explores the reliabilist response to these challenges as a means of refining and defending the JTB analysis.
What are the key themes explored in this document?
The key themes include: the tripartite analysis of knowledge (JTB), the Gettier problem and its implications for JTB, the concept of veritic luck, reliabilism as a solution to the Gettier problem, and the refinement of JTB through the incorporation of reliabilist principles.
What is the Justified True Belief (JTB) analysis of knowledge?
The JTB analysis proposes that knowledge is a justified true belief. This means for something to count as knowledge, it must be true, it must be believed, and the belief must be justified.
What is the Gettier problem?
The Gettier problem presents scenarios where someone has a justified true belief, but it seems intuitively wrong to say that they have knowledge because the truth of their belief is accidental or based on false premises. These cases challenge the sufficiency of the JTB analysis for knowledge.
What is veritic luck?
Veritic luck refers to the accidental truth of a belief. Gettier cases illustrate how one can have a justified true belief due to luck, even if the justification is not causally connected to the truth.
What is reliabilism?
Reliabilism is a response to the Gettier problem. It argues that for a belief to constitute knowledge, it must be produced by a reliable belief-forming process – a process that generally produces true beliefs. This addresses the issue of accidental truth by emphasizing the importance of the reliability of the cognitive process involved.
How does reliabilism address the Gettier problem?
Reliabilism addresses the Gettier problem by adding a further condition to the JTB analysis: the belief must be produced by a reliable process. This ensures that the truth of the belief isn't merely accidental or due to luck.
What are the chapter summaries included in this preview?
The preview includes chapter summaries covering an introduction to the topic, a detailed explanation of the JTB analysis, a discussion of the Gettier cases, and a presentation of reliabilism as a response to the Gettier problem. Each summary provides a brief overview of the chapter's content and significance within the broader context of the document.
What are the key terms used in this document?
Key terms include: Knowledge, Justified True Belief (JTB), Gettier Problem, Veritic Luck, Reliabilism, Epistemology, Goldman, Justification, Belief, and Truth.
What is the overall objective of this document?
The objective is to critically examine the classical JTB analysis of knowledge, analyze its weaknesses in light of the Gettier problem, and explore how reliabilism offers a potential solution or refinement to overcome these challenges.
- Citar trabajo
- Sabrina Fiel Abade (Autor), 2021, Is factual knowledge simply having a justified true belief? If not, what is it?, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1031223
