The nature of knowledge (JTB) Flashcards
What is Epistemology
Epistemology is the area of philosophy that study knowledge. It is the source of knowledge. It is the limits of knowledge.
What is ability knowledge
having ability knowledge is knowing how to perform/complete a task/action. (practical knowledge)
e.g. I know how to ride a bike
What is acquaintance knowledge
having acquaintance knowledge is knowing X (a place/thing/person) by experience of X (it/him/her)
e.g. knowing the taste of pineapple
What is propositional knowledge
having propositional knowledge is knowing that some claim – a proposition – is true (or false). For example knowing that the sky is blue.
According to Zagzebski what is a real definition
A real definition requires the requires something to have an objective essence. For example water molecule is objectively H20 as water cannot be defined as anything other than H20 as they all have the same molecular compensation.
What is a necessary condition
Z must have X in order to be considered for Z. This means that if X is not present then Z cannot occur.
What is a sufficient condition
Z does not require anything further than X to be considered X. This means that if X is present then Z must occur
What does individually necessary and jointly sufficient mean
This means that Z cannot be Z without X and Y but it does not require any other conditions to be considered for Z. This means that if X and Y are present then Z must occur - e.g. ‘being a man AND being a bachelor are, together, jointly sufficient and individually necessary conditions for someone being a bachelor
What is the tripartite definition of knowledge (JTB)
The tripartite definition of knowledge (JTB) claims to explain propositional knowledge. Propositional knowledge is where a proposition - ‘a claim’ is true for example the speed of light or that the sky is blue. The tripartite definition of knowledge tries to explain propositional knowledge using individually necessary and jointly sufficient conditions. A necessary condition is where x must have z in order to be considered for x. Sufficient conditions are where x does not require anything other than z to be considered for x. For example, it is individually necessary for a bachelor to be unmarried and a man but he does not require any other conditions to be a bachelor so it is also jointly sufficient.
The tripartite definition of knowledge suggests that it is individually necessary and jointly sufficient for propositional knowledge to be true, justified and believed. Propositional knowledge must be true because otherwise you could state that anything was knowledge, when in fact it is actually a false belief. For example, you may believe that it is raining when in fact it is a false belief because it is really just water from the trees. As well as this, it is individuality necessary that propositional knowledge must be believed because you do not really know anything unless you believe it. Using the same example, you cannot know that it is raining unless you believe it you could believe it is sunny as you have not looked out the window. It is also individuality necessary for propositional knowledge to be justified because without a justification it is not really knowledge it is instead a true belief. As, if you believed that it was raining and it was true but it could not be justified it is a true belief because for you have to knowledge you must be able to prove it.
What is ‘a prior’ justification
’ a prior’ justification is a justification independent upon experience for example knowing that 2+2=4.
What is ‘ a posterior’ justification
It is a justification which is dependent upon experience for example knowing the colour green.
