Single Idea 6358

[catalogued under 13. Knowledge Criteria / C. External Justification / 2. Causal Justification]

Full Idea

If I fall flat on my back running to a class, my belief that I was late for class may cause me to have the belief that there are birds in the trees, but I do not believe the latter on the basis of the former.

Gist of Idea

One belief may cause another, without being the basis for the second belief

Source

J Pollock / J Cruz (Contemporary theories of Knowledge (2nd) [1999], §2.3.1)

Book Reference

Pollock,J.L./Cruz,J: 'Contemporary Theories of Knowledge (2nd)' [Rowman and Littlefield 1999], p.36


A Reaction

A nice example, which fairly conclusively demolishes any causal theory of justification. My example is believing correctly that the phone ring is from mother, because she said she would call. Maybe causation is needed somewhere in the right theory.