Certainty

Definition

Certainty refers to a state of being free from doubt or hesitation about knowledge or beliefs. It signifies a strong conviction that a belief is true, often seen as the highest level of confidence in one's understanding. In philosophical discussions, certainty becomes crucial as it relates to the foundations of knowledge, especially when considering skepticism and the possibility of deception.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In the context of Cartesian skepticism, certainty is challenged by the evil demon argument, which suggests that we cannot be absolutely sure of anything if a malicious being could manipulate our perceptions.
2. Rationalists argue that certain ideas or concepts, such as mathematical truths, can be known with certainty through innate knowledge rather than empirical evidence.
3. René Descartes famously stated 'Cogito, ergo sum' ('I think, therefore I am') as a fundamental certainty that could not be doubted, serving as a cornerstone for his philosophy.
4. The quest for certainty often leads to debates between rationalism and empiricism regarding the sources and limits of human knowledge.
5. Certainty is not just about being confident; it also raises questions about the justification and grounds for that confidence in our beliefs.

Review Questions

• How does the evil demon argument challenge the concept of certainty in knowledge?
  • The evil demon argument poses a significant challenge to the idea of certainty by suggesting that it is possible for an all-powerful being to deceive us about everything we believe to be true. This means that even our most basic perceptions and beliefs could be manipulated, leaving us in doubt about their validity. Therefore, certainty becomes problematic because if we cannot trust our own perceptions or thoughts due to potential deception, it undermines our claim to knowledge.
• Discuss how rationalists view the relationship between innate ideas and certainty compared to empiricists.
  • Rationalists believe that certain innate ideas exist within us and can lead to certain knowledge without reliance on sensory experience. For example, they argue that mathematical truths are universally known and not derived from observation. In contrast, empiricists argue that all knowledge comes from sensory experiences and question whether any innate ideas can provide the same level of certainty. This difference highlights a fundamental divide in epistemology about how we achieve knowledge and what it means to be certain about something.
• Evaluate the implications of Descartes' approach to certainty on contemporary discussions about knowledge and belief.
  • Descartes' approach to certainty fundamentally reshapes how we think about knowledge by establishing a method of systematic doubt that seeks to find indubitable truths. His famous conclusion 'Cogito, ergo sum' serves as a starting point for modern epistemology, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness in establishing certainty. This method encourages contemporary discussions to explore not just what we know but how we know it, leading to ongoing debates regarding skepticism, justification, and the reliability of our beliefs in an increasingly complex world.

Related terms

Skepticism: A philosophical attitude of doubting the reliability of certain knowledge or beliefs, often questioning the possibility of certainty.

Empiricism: The theory that all knowledge is derived from sense-experience, emphasizing observation and experience over innate ideas.

Foundationalism: A theory in epistemology that holds that certain basic beliefs provide the foundation for all other knowledge.