Single Idea 2088

[catalogued under 13. Knowledge Criteria / B. Internal Justification / 5. Coherentism / b. Pro-coherentism]

Full Idea

In the case of a wagon, we may only have correct belief, but someone who is able to explain what it is by going through its hundred parts has got hold of a rational account.

Clarification

'Rational account' translates 'logos'

Gist of Idea

A rational account of a wagon would mean knowledge of its hundred parts

Source

Plato (Theaetetus [c.364 BCE], 207b)

Book Reference

Plato: 'Theaetetus', ed/tr. Waterfield,Robin [Penguin 1987], p.125


A Reaction

A wonderful example. In science, you know smoking correlates with cancer, but you only know it when you know the mechanism, the causal structure. This may be a general truth.