Single Idea 8886

[catalogued under 13. Knowledge Criteria / A. Justification Problems / 2. Justification Challenges / b. Gettier problem]

Full Idea

The claim that someone knows a proposition if it is true, it is believed, and the person is justified in their belief is false, in that the conditions do not state a sufficient condition for the claim.

Gist of Idea

Being a true justified belief is not a sufficient condition for knowledge

Source

Edmund L. Gettier (Is Justified True Belief Knowledge? [1963], p.145)

Book Reference

'Knowledge and Belief', ed/tr. Griffiths,A.Phillips [OUP 1968], p.144


A Reaction

This is the beginning of the famous Gettier Problem, which has motivated most epistemology for the last forty years. Gettier implies that justification is necessary, even if it is not sufficient. He gives two counterexamples.