What Is Knowledge? Flashcards
Define ability knowledge
Knowledge of how to do things e.g, ‘I know how to ride a bike’.
Define acquaintance knowledge
Knowledge of a person/place e.g, ‘I know him well.’
Outline how propositional knowledge may be analysed/defined (5)
1) Some objects have what Locke called a ‘real essence’ (an underlying cause that makes a thing the way it is) e.g, water is H20
2) If an object has a real essence then it can have a real definition.
3) Contrastingly, a ‘weed’ is just a weed, there’s no cause as to what makes it that
4) We can still give a definition for the term ‘weed’ but it will not be a real definition as weeds don’t have real essence.
5) Zagzebksi is sceptical as to whether knowledge does have a real essence.
Explain the distinction between acquaintance, ability and propositional knowledge (5)
1) Knowledge is divided into 3 types
I) practical knowledge (ability) - knowing HOW
II) knowledge of acquaintance - knowing OF
III) propositional knowledge - knowing THAT
2) a proposition is a sentence that makes a claim about the world such as ‘I am hungry’.
3) This is called a proposition and so FACTUAL knowledge is often called propositional knowledge.
Outline the nature of definition - Zagzebski (5)
1) A correct definition of anything must be both necessary and sufficient - a necessary condition is essential. E.g, it is necessary to be unmarried to be a bachelor. If you are married, you cannot be a bachelor as you don’t meet the necessary condition.
2) However if Ms X is unmarried that doesn’t make her automatically a bachelor as there are multiple requirements e.g, although she is unmarried, she isn’t male.
3) When all conditions have been met for a definition we say that the definition is sufficient and nothing else is required. (Sufficient meaning something that is enough)
4)Zagzebski argues that if we attempt to define knowledge then we can help ourselves o understand what it actually is.
5) e.g.Locke - real essence - if an object has a real essence then it can have a real definition.
Define propositional knowledge
Knowledge that something is the case (factual statements, which can be expressed in language) e.g, i know that London is the capital of England.
