The Meaning of Knowledge: Crash Course Philosophy #7

Summary

This Crash Course Philosophy episode delves into the nature of knowledge and belief. It clarifies the philosophical definitions of 'knowing', 'believing', 'proposition', and 'justification'. The traditional view of knowledge as justified true belief is challenged by Gettier's influential counterexamples, which suggest that knowledge requires more than just true, justified beliefs. The episode also explores the concepts of assertions, propositions, and propositional attitudes, highlighting the complexity of philosophical debates on knowledge.

Takeaways

• 📚 Philosophers have specific definitions for terms like 'knowledge', 'belief', 'proposition', and 'justification', which are essential for understanding their debates.
• 🤔 The nature of knowledge is complex; philosophers argue that it's not just about being correct but also about having justification for one's beliefs.
• 📝 An assertion is a linguistic act with a truth value, which can be true, false, or indeterminate, depending on the context.
• 📖 A proposition is the underlying meaning of an assertion, and it remains constant regardless of the language in which the assertion is made.
• 🧐 Propositional attitude refers to a speaker's mental state towards the proposition they are asserting, such as belief or disbelief.
• 🐱 Belief is defined as taking a propositional attitude of truth, meaning one thinks the assertion corresponds to reality.
• 📖 The traditional definition of knowledge is 'justified true belief', which has three components: belief, truth, and justification.
• 🔍 Justification can come from various sources, including testimony from experts or first-person observation through the senses.
• 🕵️‍♂️ Edmund Gettier challenged the traditional definition of knowledge by proposing cases where one can have a justified true belief without actually having knowledge.
• 🐑 Gettier cases, such as mistaking a dog for a sheep in a field, demonstrate situations where one might be correct by accident, not through knowledge.
• 💡 The philosophical debate on the definition of knowledge continues, with Gettier's work prompting a reevaluation of what constitutes true knowledge.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the Crash Course Philosophy episode discussed in the transcript?

The main theme of the episode is the exploration of the concept of knowledge, specifically the philosophical definitions and debates surrounding beliefs, assertions, propositions, and justifications.

What does Squarespace offer according to the transcript?

Squarespace offers a platform to create websites, blogs, or online stores, enabling users to share their passions with the world without the need for coding skills.

What is the traditional definition of knowledge in philosophy as mentioned in the script?

The traditional definition of knowledge in philosophy is 'justified true belief,' which consists of three components: belief, truth, and justification.

What is an assertion in the context of the script?

An assertion is a linguistic act, either spoken or written, that has a truth value and asserts something about the world, which can be either true, false, or indeterminate.

What is the difference between an assertion and a proposition according to the script?

An assertion is the act of stating something with a truth value, while a proposition is the content of the assertion, representing the underlying meaning of what is being said.

What is a propositional attitude as described in the script?

A propositional attitude is the speaker's mental state towards the proposition they are making, such as belief, disbelief, or uncertainty.

What does the script suggest about the nature of beliefs?

The script suggests that beliefs are a kind of propositional attitude where one takes a stance on the truth of a proposition, and it's possible to have false beliefs that do not correspond to reality.

What is the significance of Edmund Gettier's contribution to the philosophy of knowledge as mentioned in the script?

Edmund Gettier's contribution is significant because he challenged the traditional definition of knowledge with his Gettier cases, showing situations where one can have a justified true belief but not actual knowledge.

What are Gettier cases as introduced in the script?

Gettier cases are hypothetical situations proposed by Edmund Gettier that demonstrate instances where someone might have a justified true belief but lack knowledge, thus challenging the 'justified true belief' definition of knowledge.

What is the role of justification in the traditional definition of knowledge?

Justification in the traditional definition of knowledge is the evidence or support for one's belief, which is necessary to transform a true belief into knowledge.

How does the script illustrate the concept of justification through testimony?

The script illustrates justification through testimony by explaining that much of what we know is learned through taking others' words as evidence, such as from teachers, books, and news reports.

What is the final verdict on the cat's behavior in the script?

The final verdict is that the cat did not pee on the desk, as it was unable to spend any time on the desk, making the initial assertion about the cat's behavior false.