The Meaning of Knowledge: Crash Course Philosophy #7

In this episode of Crash Course Philosophy, Hank delves into the intricacies of knowledge and belief and explore how philosophers define and analyze these concepts. The traditional definition of knowledge as "justified true belief" comes under scrutiny as we encounter Gettier cases, situations where justified true beliefs fail to qualify as knowledge. This philosophical debate challenges our understanding of what it truly means to know something.

Assertion, Proposition, and Belief

The episode starts by distinguishing between two crucial linguistic acts: assertion and proposition. An assertion is a spoken or written statement with a truth value, either true, false, or indeterminate. The content or meaning conveyed by an assertion is known as a proposition, which underlies the statement's truth value. Belief, a form of propositional attitude, occurs when an individual takes a propositional attitude of truth towards a statement.

Knowledge: Justified True Belief and Gettier Cases

The traditional definition of knowledge is "justified true belief." To have knowledge, one must possess justified reasons or evidence (justification) for a belief that is, in fact, true. However, in the 1960s, philosopher Edmund Gettier proposed Gettier cases, which challenge the adequacy of this definition. These cases demonstrate situations in which one may have a justified true belief but lack knowledge due to luck or other factors.

A Gettier case involves Smith and Jones applying for the same job. The company president tells Smith that Jones will get the job, which Smith takes as evidence. Smith also counts ten coins in Jones' pocket and forms a belief: "The person who gets the job has 10 coins in his pocket." Unexpectedly, Smith gets the job and has ten coins in his own pocket. Despite having a justified true belief, Smith's belief lacks knowledge because he stumbled into the right answer.

Philosophical Debate and Continuing Exploration

Gettier cases opened a philosophical debate about the definition of knowledge. Some philosophers argue that justified true belief is insufficient, while others seek alternative explanations for knowledge. The exploration of knowledge continues, with the understanding that philosophy is an ever-evolving discipline with ongoing debates and discussions.

Understanding the nuances of knowledge and belief is essential in philosophical debates. An assertion conveys a truth value and is supported by a proposition, while belief represents one's propositional attitude of truth. The traditional definition of knowledge as "justified true belief" is challenged by Gettier cases, leading to ongoing debates in the philosophical community. Philosophers strive to explore and redefine these concepts, contributing to the continuous evolution of philosophical thought.