Ideas from 'Philosophical Explanations' by Robert Nozick [1981], by Theme Structure

[found in 'Philosophical Explanations' by Nozick,Robert [OUP 1984,0-19-824743-5]].

green numbers give full details    |     back to texts     |     unexpand these ideas


11. Knowledge Aims / A. Knowledge / 4. Belief / c. Aim of beliefs
Maybe knowledge is belief which 'tracks' the truth
                        Full Idea: Nozick suggests that knowledge is just belief which 'tracks the truth' (hence leaving out justification).
                        From: report of Robert Nozick (Philosophical Explanations [1981]) by Michael Williams - Problems of Knowledge Ch. 2
13. Knowledge Criteria / C. External Justification / 4. Tracking the Facts
A true belief isn't knowledge if it would be believed even if false. It should 'track the truth'
                        Full Idea: Nozick says Gettier cases aren't knowledge because the proposition would be believed even if false. Proper justification must be more sensitive to the truth ("track the truth").
                        From: report of Robert Nozick (Philosophical Explanations [1981], 3.1) by Jonathan Dancy - Intro to Contemporary Epistemology 3.1
                        A reaction: This is a bad idea. I see a genuine tree in my garden and believe it is there, so I know it. That I might have believed it if I was in virtually reality, or observing a mirror, won't alter that.