Single Idea 20222

[catalogued under 11. Knowledge Aims / A. Knowledge / 5. Aiming at Truth]

Full Idea

Getting knowledge can be a matter either of reaching more truths or of gaining understanding of truths already believed. So it may be a way of increasing either the quality of true belief (cognitive contact with reality) or the quantity.

Gist of Idea

Knowledge either aims at a quantity of truths, or a quality of understanding of truths

Source

Linda Trinkaus Zagzebski (Virtues of the Mind [1996], III 2.1)

Book Reference

Zagzebski,Linda: 'Virtues of the Mind' [CUP 1996], p.269


A Reaction

I'm not sure how one would increase understanding of currently believed truths if it didn't involve adding some new truths to the collection. There is only the discovery of connections or structures, but those are new facts.