Single Idea 15994

[catalogued under 11. Knowledge Aims / B. Certain Knowledge / 1. Certainty]

Full Idea

What reaches to knowledge, I think may be called certainty; and what comes short of certainty, I think cannot be knowledge.

Gist of Idea

If it is knowledge, it is certain; if it isn't certain, it isn't knowledge

Source

John Locke (Letters to Edward Stillingfleet [1695], Letter 2), quoted by Simon Blackburn - Quasi-Realism no Fictionalism

Book Reference

Alexander,Peter: 'Ideas, Qualities and Corpuscles' [CUP 1985], p.282


A Reaction

I much prefer that fallibilist approach offered by the pragmatists. Knowledge is well-supported belief which seems (and is agreed) to be true, but there is a small shadow of doubt hanging over all of it.