Single Idea 23549

[catalogued under 13. Knowledge Criteria / C. External Justification / 7. Testimony]

Full Idea

Reid says we naturally operate counterpart principles of veracity and credulity in our testimonial exchanges.

Gist of Idea

We treat testimony with a natural trade off of belief and caution

Source

report of Thomas Reid (An Enquiry [1764], 6.24) by Miranda Fricker - Epistemic Injustice 1.3 n11

Book Reference

Fine,Kit: 'Vagueness: a global approach' [OUP 2020], p.18


A Reaction

What you would expect from someone who believed in common sense. Fricker contrasts this with Tyler Burge's greater confidence, and then criticises both (with Reid too cautious and Burge over-confident). She defends a 'low-level' critical awareness.

Related Idea

Idea 23550 Burge says we are normally a priori entitled to believe testimony [Fricker,M]