What Is The Generality Problem?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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The generality problem for reliabilism is the problem of determining, for any given belief , which belief-forming process type is relevant for justification-determining purposes. ... Some belief-forming process types are more general than others.

How does reliabilism solve the problem of justification?

Put differently, reliabilism makes plausible a form of structural foundationalism which stops the regress of justification , whereas it is difficult for the internalist to cite regress-stopping basic beliefs that are justified but not by other beliefs.

Why the generality problem is everybody’s problem?

The target beliefs in Heart Attack and Reliable Testimony are clearly justified . But if the generality problem has no solution, then no theory of justification can yield the result that those beliefs are justified.

What is the Reliabilist view of knowledge?

Reliabilism is an approach to the nature of knowledge and of justified belief . Reliabilism about justification, in its simplest form, says that a belief is justified if and only if it is produced by a reliable psychological process, meaning a process that produces a high proportion of true beliefs.

Why is reliabilism Externalist?

Objections. Some find reliabilism of justification objectionable because it entails externalism, which is the view that one can have knowledge, or have a justified belief , despite not knowing (having “access” to) the evidence, or other circumstances, that make the belief justified.

How does reliabilism avoid the gettier problem?

Because reliabilism permits epistemic luck to account for knowledge , critics assert that there is still a disconnect between the truth and justification of an agent’s belief. Therefore, critics conclude that Goldman’s account of justification cannot solve this certain type of Gettier problem. ... Reading Epistemology.

How reliable is knowledge?

Reliable knowledge is knowledge that has a high probablility of being true because its veracity has been justified by a reliable method. Reliable knowledge is sometimes called justified true belief, to distinguish reliable knowledge from belief that is false and unjustified or even true but unjustified.

What is reliability of knowledge?

The core idea of Goldman’s original reliabilist theory of knowledge is that a true belief attains the status of knowledge just when it is produced by a reliable cognitive mechanism, where reliability is understood to consist in a tendency to produce true beliefs (Goldman 1976).

What is the reliability theory?

Reliability theory is a general theory about systems failure . ... Reliability theory predicts that even those systems that are entirely composed of non-aging elements (with a constant failure rate) will nevertheless deteriorate (fail more often) with age, if these systems are redundant in irreplaceable elements.

What is the difference between Internalism and Externalism?

The distinction arises in many areas of debate with similar but distinct meanings. Internalism is the thesis that no fact about the world can provide reasons for action independently of desires and beliefs. Externalism is the thesis that reasons are to be identified with objective features of the world.

What is Nozick’s truth tracking account of knowledge?

The core idea of Robert Nozick’s truth tracking theory is that if one has a tendency to believe something when it’s true, and not believe it when it’s false, then one knows it.

What makes a belief credible?

Reliable Beliefs

Some beliefs are universal and objective , but no belief is certain. ... That is, the evidence is so overwhelming for a particular belief that a reasonable person would act as if the belief were true . Important decisions in life involve risk, but we have to act; we have to make decisions to live.

What is meant by epistemology?

Epistemology, the philosophical study of the nature, origin, and limits of human knowledge . The term is derived from the Greek epistēmē (“knowledge”) and logos (“reason”), and accordingly the field is sometimes referred to as the theory of knowledge.

What is Infallibilism philosophy?

In philosophy, infallibilism (sometimes called “epistemic infallibilism”) is the view that knowing the truth of a proposition is incompatible with there being any possibility that the proposition could be false .

Is knowledge equal to truth?

Knowledge is always a true belief ; but not just any true belief. (A confident although hopelessly uninformed belief as to which horse will win — or even has won — a particular race is not knowledge, even if the belief is true.) Knowledge is always a well justified true belief — any well justified true belief.

Does knowledge have to be true?

Belief is necessary but not sufficient for knowledge. We are all sometimes mistaken in what we believe; in other words, while some of our beliefs are true, others are false. ... However, we can say that truth is a condition of knowledge ; that is, if a belief is not true, it cannot constitute knowledge.

Amira Khan
Author
Amira Khan
Amira Khan is a philosopher and scholar of religion with a Ph.D. in philosophy and theology. Amira's expertise includes the history of philosophy and religion, ethics, and the philosophy of science. She is passionate about helping readers navigate complex philosophical and religious concepts in a clear and accessible way.