What is knowledge?

A priori

Knowledge that can be acquired independently of experience

A posteriori

Knowledge that is acquired on the basis of experience

Argument

A series of premises intended to present a reason for a conclusion

Necessary

A conclusion that could not be otherwise

Contingent

A conclusion that could be otherwise

Deductive

A form of reasoning whereby if the argument is valid and sound, it entails a necessary conclusion

Valid

A valid argument is one where the conclusion must follow from the premises

Sound

If the argument is valid and the premises are actually true

Proof

A conclusion to a deductively sound argument

Inductive

A form of reasoning whereby the strength of an argument depends on how frequently something occurs, leading to a contingent conclusion

Abductive

A form of reasoning whereby the contingent conclusion id the best explanation inferred from the premises

Acquaintance knowledge

To know ‘of’ something, it requires personal experience in order to be gained

Ability knowledge

To know ‘how’ to do something, not easily transmissible, demonstrated by non-human animals

Propositional knowledge

To know ‘that’ something is the case, propositions are mental representations of facts, they are transmissible and can be passed on from, person to person

What is the tripartite theory of knowledge?

Knowledge can be ascribed if you have a justified, true belief. These conditions are both individually necessary and jointly sufficient for knowledge.

Why is belief individually necessary but not jointly sufficient for knowledge?

Belief is individually necessary because to ‘know’ a proposition is to understand and accept it, but it is not sufficient because you can believe things are false.

Why is truth individually necessary but not sufficient for knowledge?

Truth is individually necessary because knowledge is a ‘success term’ which denotes getting something right, but it is not sufficient because you cannot ‘know’ merely by uttering a proposition without acceptance.

Why is justification individually necessary but not sufficient for knowledge?

Justification is individually necessary because knowledge is not ascribed to ‘lucky guesses’, but is not sufficient because you cannot have justification for false proposition.

What is Infalibalism?

Infallibility is the view that a belief counts as knowledge only if it is impossible to be false.

What are the conditions for knowledge according to infallibilism?

1. P is true

2. You believe that P

3. Your belief that P is justified without the possibility of doubt

What are the conditions for knowledge according to reliabilism?

1. P is true

2. You believe that P

3. Your belief that P is formed by a reliable cognitive process

What must a reliable cognitive process have?

It must have a history of success, it tends to produce true beliefs as a pose to false ones.

What are examples of reliable cognitive processes given by philosophers?

Memory, perception, testimony, introspection

What do reliabilists replace?

Reliabilists replace the justification condition with a true belief formed by a reliable cognitive processes given.

What type of theory is reliabilism?

Reliabilism is an externalist theory, because the process needs to be accessible to the believer.

What are the conditions for knowledge according to Virtue Epistemology?

1. P is true

2. You believe that P

3. Your belief that P is because of epistemic virtue

What do Virtue Epistemologists replace?

Virtue Epistemologists replace the justification condition with a true belief which arises from epistemic virtue.

What is an epistemic virtue?

An epistemic virtue is an intellectual skill, ability or trait that contributes to getting to the truth.

Give an example of a true belief that arises from epistemic virtue?

A true belief that arises from conscientiousness or open-mindedness