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Single Idea 19502

[from 'Epistemological Disjunctivism' by Duncan Pritchard, in 13. Knowledge Criteria / A. Justification Problems / 2. Justification Challenges / c. Knowledge closure ]

Full Idea

According to the 'contrastivist' proposal knowledge is to be understood as essentially involving discrimination, such that knowing a proposition boils down to having the relevant discriminatory capacities.

Gist of Idea

Maybe knowledge just needs relevant discriminations among contrasting cases

Source

Duncan Pritchard (Epistemological Disjunctivism [2012], 2.§6)

Book Reference

Pritchard,Duncan: 'Epistemological Disjunctivism' [OUP 2012], p.89


A Reaction

Pritchard says this isn't enough, and we must also to be aware of supporting favouring evidence. I would focus on the concept of coherence, even for simple perceptual knowledge. If I see a hawk in England, that's fine. What if I 'see' a vulture?