Gettier Problems

Definition

Gettier problems are situations in epistemology that challenge the definition of knowledge as justified true belief. They illustrate cases where an individual has a belief that is justified and true, yet intuitively does not count as knowledge, raising questions about the traditional tripartite definition of knowledge.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Gettier problems were introduced by philosopher Edmund Gettier in 1963, presenting scenarios where justified true belief fails to qualify as knowledge.
2. In classic Gettier examples, the justification for a belief is based on misleading or coincidental information, leading to a true belief that seems accidental.
3. These problems highlight the need for additional conditions beyond justified true belief to adequately define knowledge.
4. Gettier cases have sparked significant discussion in contemporary epistemology, leading to various proposed solutions and revisions of the definition of knowledge.
5. Philosophers continue to debate what constitutes a sufficient condition for knowledge in response to Gettier problems, with some suggesting alternatives like reliability or virtue epistemology.

Review Questions

• How do Gettier problems challenge the traditional definition of justified true belief?
  • Gettier problems challenge the traditional definition of justified true belief by presenting scenarios where a person can have a belief that is justified and true yet still fails to qualify as knowledge. These examples demonstrate that having a true belief based on proper justification can still result from luck or coincidence, indicating that the tripartite definition is insufficient. This leads to questions about what additional criteria may be necessary for something to truly count as knowledge.
• Discuss the implications of Gettier problems for epistemology and the search for a more robust definition of knowledge.
  • The implications of Gettier problems for epistemology are profound, as they reveal gaps in the conventional understanding of knowledge. The existence of these scenarios suggests that simply having justified true belief is not enough; it has prompted philosophers to seek more robust definitions that incorporate further criteria. This ongoing inquiry into the nature of knowledge drives philosophical debates and stimulates new theories aimed at resolving these challenges.
• Evaluate how contemporary philosophers have responded to Gettier problems and their impact on our understanding of knowledge.
  • Contemporary philosophers have responded to Gettier problems by proposing various solutions and alternative definitions of knowledge that go beyond justified true belief. Some suggest additional conditions such as reliability or introducing notions like epistemic virtue to capture what it means to truly know something. This ongoing dialogue has significantly shaped our understanding of knowledge, pushing philosophers to rethink foundational concepts and consider more complex frameworks that account for the nuances presented by Gettier scenarios.

Related terms

Justified True Belief: A traditional philosophical definition of knowledge, which states that for someone to know something, it must be a belief that is true and for which the person has justification.

Epistemology:

The branch of philosophy concerned with the nature, scope, and limitations of knowledge, exploring what it means to know and how we acquire knowledge.

Skepticism: A philosophical viewpoint that questions the possibility of certainty in knowledge, often challenging whether any beliefs can be known for sure.