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Single Idea 22325

[from 'The Foundations of Mathematics' by Frank P. Ramsey, in 13. Knowledge Criteria / C. External Justification / 3. Reliabilism / a. Reliable knowledge ]

Full Idea

I have always said that a belief was knowledge if it was 1) true, ii) certain, iii) obtained by a reliable process.

Gist of Idea

A belief is knowledge if it is true, certain and obtained by a reliable process

Source

Frank P. Ramsey (The Foundations of Mathematics [1925], p.258), quoted by Michael Potter - The Rise of Analytic Philosophy 1879-1930 66 'Rel'

Book Reference

Potter,Michael: 'The Rise of Anaytic Philosophy 1879-1930' [Routledge 2020], p.431


A Reaction

Not sure why it has to be 'certain' as well as 'true'. It seems that 'true' is objective, and 'certain' subjective. I think I know lots of things of which I am not fully certain. Reliabilism long preceded Alvin Goldman.

Related Idea

Idea 22326 Knowledge needs more than a sensitive response; the response must also be appropriate [Russell]