more from Bertrand Russell

Single Idea 5429

[catalogued under 13. Knowledge Criteria / A. Justification Problems / 2. Justification Challenges / b. Gettier problem]

Full Idea

A true belief is not knowledge when it is deduced from a false belief (as when deducing that the late Prime Minister's name began with B, believing it was Balfour, when actually it was Bannerman).

Gist of Idea

True belief is not knowledge when it is deduced from false belief

Source

Bertrand Russell (Problems of Philosophy [1912], Ch.13)

Book Reference

Russell,Bertrand: 'The Problems of Philosophy' [OUP 1995], p.76


A Reaction

Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't this the 'Gettier Problem'? It raises the central question of modern epistemology, which is what will be counted as adequate justification to make a true belief qualify as knowledge. How high do we set the bar?