User:Pluke/philosophy/Epistemology

Scepticism
Covers Descartes and the dreaming argument

Knowledge

 * Propositional knowledge - knowledge that something is the case, 2+2 =4, my name is Dave
 * Object Knowledge - knowledge of objects, I know a football, I know London
 * Practical knowledge - knowledge of how to do something - i know how to swim

Scepticism

 * Local - lack of knowledge in a particular area
 * Global - lack of all knowledge

Arguments from certainty

 * 1) Knowledge requires certainty
 * 2) No belief in the senses can be certain
 * Therefore no knowledge can be based up on the senses


 * OBJECTION: does P1 fit with the idea of how one knows?
 * COUNTER: High stakes situations need solid knowledge

Arguments from fallibility

 * 1) Our senses are fallible
 * 2) Knowledge must be based upon infallible evidence
 * Therefore knowledge cannot be gained on the basis of the senses


 * OBJECTION: Is P1 true, why must evidence be infallible?

Dreaming argument

 * 1) we could be dreaming, or have a brain in a vat/matrix.
 * 2) We have everyday propositions such as 'I have hands'
 * We don't know P1 isn't true, therefore we can't claim P2

OBJECTIONS

 * Deny P1 - I have two hands, therefore I know two things
 * COUNTER: Is this satisfying?


 * Deny P2 - Give up closure: I know that p, I know that p entails q, therefore I can come to know that q.
 * COUNTER: Can we give up closure?