Epistemology definitions

Question 1

Necessary condition

Answer 1

X is necessary for Y when you can’t possibly find a case of Y without X

Question 2

Sufficient condition

Answer 2

X is sufficient for Y when you can’t possibly find a case of X without Y

Question 3

Innate knowledge

Answer 3

Innate knowledge is instilled in us from birth and does not come about through experience

Question 4

Proponant

Answer 4

Someone who defends a view

Question 5

Propositional knowledge

Answer 5

‘Know that’- knowledge about things e.g. I have propositional knowledge that the sky is blue

Question 6

Acquaintance knowledge

Answer 6

‘Know of’- knowledge of things e.g. I have acquaintance knowledge of the position of the furniture in my bedroom

Question 7

Ability knowledge

Answer 7

‘Know how’- knowledge of how to do things e.g. I have ability knowledge of how to tie my shoelaces

Question 8

Simple concept

Answer 8

A concept which cannot be broken down into parts e.g. red, cold, sour

Question 9

Complex concept

Answer 9

A concept which can be broken down into multiple simple concepts e.g. house, love, unicorn

Question 10

Deductive argument

Answer 10

Linking from a general fact to a specific fact. The truth of the premises guarantee the truth of the conclusion.

Question 11

Inductive argument

Answer 11

Linking from a specific fact to a general fact. The truth of the premises would at best make the truth of the conclusion probable.

Question 12

A priori knowledge

Answer 12

Knowledge gained through thinking and reasoning

Question 13

A posteriori knowledge

Answer 13

Knowledge gained through experience and experiments