Virtue Epistemology

Question 1

What are Epistemic Virtues?

Answer 1

Individual character traits that can be utilised to more accurately acquire knowledge.

Question 2

Give some examples of Epistemic Virtues (EV’s)

Answer 2

Empathy
Compassion
Courage
Humility

Question 3

Outline Virtue Epistemology in logical formulation.

Answer 3

P1- P is true
P2- S believes that P is true
C1- The belief that P is true stems from the utilisation of epistemic virtues.

Question 4

Give an objection to Virtue Epistemology.

Answer 4

• Virtues are entirely subjective and can’t be tangibly measured. Finding the degrees of people’s virtues is consequently very difficult and discovering whether they exist within other people genuinely is tough.

Question 5

Give another objection to Virtue Epistemology.

Answer 5

• Virtues may heavily vary between cultures and societal circumstances which means that they can’t be objectively applied across the world.

Question 6

How does Linda Zagzebski utilise Virtue Epistemology to locate knowledge?

Answer 6

She claims that we must use several virtues simultaneously to accurately reach knowledge.
If I’m trying to find out whether a research study is true, I might use reasoning, rationality and critical thinking at the same time to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of the research to reach my own conclusion.