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Single Idea 2548

[from 'Philosophy and the Mirror of Nature' by Richard Rorty, in 13. Knowledge Criteria / B. Internal Justification / 2. Pragmatic justification ]

Full Idea

If we have a Deweyan conception of knowledge, as what we are justified in believing, we will see "justification" as a social phenomenon.

Gist of Idea

If knowledge is merely justified belief, justification is social

Source

Richard Rorty (Philosophy and the Mirror of Nature [1980], Intro)

Book Reference

Rorty,Richard: 'Philosophy and the Mirror of Nature' [Blackwell 1980], p.9


A Reaction

I find this observation highly illuminating (though I probably need to study Dewey to understand it). There just is no absolute about whether someone is justified. How justified do you want to be?