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Single Idea 8826

[filed under theme 13. Knowledge Criteria / C. External Justification / 9. Naturalised Epistemology ]

Full Idea

Quine asks us to set aside the entire framework of justification-centered epistemology, ..and repudiate normativity. ..But then knowledge itself drops out of epistemology, for our concept of knowledge is inseparably tied to that of justification.

Gist of Idea

If we abandon justification and normativity in epistemology, we must also abandon knowledge

Source

comment on Willard Quine (Epistemology Naturalized [1968]) by Jaegwon Kim - What is 'naturalized epistemology'? p.305

Book Ref

'Epistemology - An Anthology', ed/tr. Sosa,E. /Kim,J. [Blackwell 2000], p.305


A Reaction

Presumably this would not bother Quine, who wants to hand so-called 'epistemology' over to the psychologists. A psychological account of belief seems plausible. Presumably false beliefs could only be pragmatically characterised.


The 7 ideas with the same theme [justification is the mechanics of successful belief-formation]:

You can't reduce epistemology to psychology, because that presupposes epistemology [Maund on Quine]
We should abandon a search for justification or foundations, and focus on how knowledge is acquired [Quine, by Davidson]
If we abandon justification and normativity in epistemology, we must also abandon knowledge [Kim on Quine]
Without normativity, naturalized epistemology isn't even about beliefs [Kim on Quine]
Epistemology is a part of psychology, studying how our theories relate to our evidence [Quine]
Animal learning is separate from their behaviour [Rey]
Knowledge does not need minds or nervous systems; it is found in all living things [Gray]