The Value of Knoweldge

Question 1

What is Value

Answer 1

Instrumental value = Value understood in terms of practiacal utility

Question 2

How can beliefs be valuable

Answer 2

Beliefs guide actions
Without beliefs we would just act predetermined and rigidly

Question 3

How can truth be valuable

Answer 3

Most philosophers dont think that truth is intrisically valuable
when related to beliefs, truth appears less controversial
If a belief is true it correspons to the state of affairs
actting in accordance with the states of affair will generally yield more succes.
thus truth is valuabble if its connect to belief because it helps us aid in the achievment of our goals

Question 4

Why are true beliefs valuable

Answer 4

They have insturmental value
not valuable by themselves but help us achieve somehting

Question 5

ceteris-paribus generalization

Answer 5

the ceteris paribus-qualification is used to isolate and
investigate the relationship between two factors while
disregarding other potential intervening factors

Question 6

What does the ceteris-paribus mean in face of ture beliefs

Answer 6

the only factor that matters: truth/falsity of the beliefs
if we do not control for other factors
(= if we leave out the ceteris paribus qualification)
then the principle might fail:
true belief is not always better than false beliefs

Question 7

The surplus value of knowledge

Answer 7

ceteris paribus, having knowledge is better (more valuable) than
having mere true belief

having knowledge helps us better fulfill our goals
than having mere true belief

knowledge thus has more instrumental value
than mere true belief

But fails is some examples like the public speaking

But these things are sheer luck

Question 8

Plato and meno Differnce knoweldge and mere true belief

Answer 8

Difference Knoweldge verus mere true belief
Theaetetus: justification
Meno: Stability

Question 9

Summary:
Q1: what is the value of true belief (if any)?
Q2: If true belief is valuable, is knowledge more
valuable still?

Answer 9

Q1: ceteris paribus, true belief has more instrumental value than false belief
Q2: ceteris paribus, knowledge has more instrumental value than mere true belief, because of its stability

Question 10

can knowledge have non-instrumental value?

Answer 10

Wisdom
non-instrumental value: even if you don’t
lead a fulfilling life, having wisdom is still
valuable
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