Combining Texts

Ideas for 'works', 'Scientific Objectivity' and 'Modern Philosophy:introduction and survey'

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3 ideas

11. Knowledge Aims / A. Knowledge / 1. Knowledge
For Aristotle, knowledge is of causes, and is theoretical, practical or productive [Aristotle, by Code]
     Full Idea: Aristotle thinks that in general we have knowledge or understanding when we grasp causes, and he distinguishes three fundamental types of knowledge - theoretical, practical and productive.
     From: report of Aristotle (works [c.330 BCE]) by Alan D. Code - Aristotle
     A reaction: Productive knowledge we tend to label as 'knowing how'. The centrality of causes for knowledge would get Aristotle nowadays labelled as a 'naturalist'. It is hard to disagree with his three types, though they may overlap.
Epistemology is about the justification of belief, not the definition of knowledge [Scruton]
     Full Idea: In my view the concept of knowledge is of no very great interest in epistemology, which actually concerns the justification of belief.
     From: Roger Scruton (Modern Philosophy:introduction and survey [1994], 22)
     A reaction: I think this is an excellent thought. I see knowledge as slippery, and partially contextual, and I don't care whether someone precisely 'knows' something. I just want to know why they believe it.
11. Knowledge Aims / B. Certain Knowledge / 4. The Cogito
In the Cogito argument consciousness develops into self-consciousness [Scruton]
     Full Idea: In the course of the argument the first person has acquired a character; he is not merely conscious, but self-conscious.
     From: Roger Scruton (Modern Philosophy:introduction and survey [1994], 4)