Class 4

Question 1

Supervenience (3)

Answer 1

A) There cannot be a X difference without a Y difference

B) E.g.
The temperature of a gas supervenes on the behaviour of its molecules
Pain supervenes on the firing of pain neurons

C) X is determined by Y
Y determines X

Question 2

Internalism (2)

Answer 2

A) Epistemic status supervenes on the internal states of the agent

B) Cartesian internalism:
Clear and distinct ideas are needed for knowledge
This is an internal matter

Question 3

Externalism (3)

Answer 3

A) Epistemic status supervenes in part on relations and factors external to the agent

B) Problem:
If justification is about having good reasons, then this seems to depend on internal states only -> internalism

C) Solution 1:
Change the definition of justification
Solution 2:
Deny that justification is necessary for knowledge

Question 4

Fallibilism (2)

Answer 4

A) No belief can ever be rationally supported or justified in a conclusive way -> doubt always possible

B) Problem:
Makes possible that two persons with same evidence and who are internally alike, one has knowledge the other doesn’t
-> internalism not possible
If having knowledge supervenes on internal states, then necessarily two people with same internal states will also both have knowledge

Question 5

Epistemic warrant (3)

Answer 5

A) Is what distinguishes true beliefs that are knowledge from true beliefs that are not

B) Therefore, if warrant is dependent on internal states, only justified beliefs are warranted for the internalist, then internalists must commit to the view that justification is what distinguishes mere tru belief from knowledge

C) Not acceptable bc Gettier cases

Question 6

Rationality (4)

Answer 6

A) Reasons must support the conclusion of the reasoning
Not enough

B) Reasoning must be sound
Properly considering the right reasons

C) Rationality is very close to justification (almost synonymous)

D) Goal-oriented

Question 7

Epistemic rationality (5)

Answer 7

A) Rationality with the goal of reaching true beliefs

B) Rational beliefs are beliefs that you have good reasons for thinking are true

C) Targeted at maximising true beliefs
Problem: If someone believes everything they maximise true beliefs but also false beliefs

D) Targeted at minimizing false beliefs
Problem: If someone believes nothing they minimized false beliefs but also true beliefs

E) Targeted at responsibility
Problem 1: we cannot choose to form beliefs of immediate perception
Problem 2: if someone doesn’t know better but to behave irrationally

Question 8

Epistemic norms

Answer 8

Rules for gaining true beliefs

Question 9

Deontic epistemic rationality (4)

Answer 9

A) The agent forms her beliefs by following certain norms

B) Those norms are right according to the agent (might be wrong)

C) Internalist conception of rationality

D) Problem:
What if the agent has doesn’t have access to epistemic norms? (Like a toddler)