Epistemology Flashcards
What is ability knowledge?
Knowing how to do X or being able to do X - such knowledge involves a skill/capability to perform the task, but does not require an explanation as to how it is performed.
An example of this is being able to swim
What is acquaintance knowledge?
This involves knowing something due to having experienced it, and does not require an explanation to what it entails.
An example of this is knowing the taste of pineapple
What is propositional knowledge?
This is knowing that something is the case, and this can be expressed through language.
An example of this would be knowing that 2 + 2 = 4.
What is a proposition?
A declarative, ‘truth-apt’ statement about a state of affairs, which is distinct from the actual state of affairs itself. It could be said in a different language but would still be the same proposition. An example would be “the cat is sitting on a mat”
What is a real a definition?
Defining something by explaining its nature, this requires the thing to have an objective essence.
For example, water is H20
What is an artificial definition?
Used to define something without a natural essence, is objective.
For example weeds have no shared nature, and are seen differently depending on who you ask.
What is, according to Zagzebski, a real definition?
Defining something based on what it is naturally made up of, it is entirely objective essence.
What is a necessary condition?
X must have this in order to be considered X
For example, without water and oxygen there would be no human life
What is a sufficient condition?
X does not require anything further than this to be considered X
For example a pencil does not need to be sharp to be considered a pencil
What is the Tripartite Definition Of Knowledge?
This theory states that someone can only have propositional knowledge when they meet these conditions:
1. they believe the proposition
2. they are justified in believing the proposition
3. the proposition is true
Each of these conditions are individually necessary but jointly sufficient for knowledge.
What are the tripartite conditions arguments?
- if you don’t believe something, then you can’t know it
- if the subject doesn’t have sufficient justification for their belief, then they cannot be said to know it
- if something is false, you cannot know it - you can just think you know it
What is an ‘a prosteriori’ justification?
The justification is dependent on experiences.
For example, ‘ there are impact craters on the moon’, which we know through others’ experiences
What is an ‘a priori’ justification?
The justification is independent of experiences
For example we know that 23 x 4 = 92 through learning
