Infallibilism

Definition

Infallibilism is the epistemological view that for a belief to count as knowledge, it must be infallible or certain; that is, there must be no possibility of being wrong about it. This stance emphasizes the necessity of certainty in knowledge claims and is often contrasted with fallibilism, which accepts that knowledge can be fallible while still being justified.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Infallibilism suggests that if there is any chance of being mistaken about a belief, then it cannot be considered knowledge.
2. This view poses challenges in practical situations since most beliefs are subject to some uncertainty.
3. Infallibilism aims to strengthen the criteria for knowledge by demanding a higher standard than traditional definitions allow.
4. Philosophers who adopt infallibilism often seek to avoid scenarios illustrated by the Gettier problem, where justified true beliefs fail to constitute knowledge.
5. Critics argue that infallibilism is too strict and unrealistic since human beliefs are often based on fallible evidence.

Review Questions

• How does infallibilism challenge the traditional definition of knowledge?
  • Infallibilism challenges the traditional definition of knowledge by asserting that for a belief to qualify as knowledge, it must be infallibly justified. This means that any possibility of error disqualifies a belief from being considered knowledge. In contrast, traditional definitions often allow for justified true beliefs that can include some level of uncertainty or potential for error, making infallibilism a stricter criterion.
• What are the implications of adopting an infallibilist position in everyday belief systems?
  • Adopting an infallibilist position implies that many everyday beliefs may not count as knowledge due to their inherent uncertainty. For example, one might believe that a friend will show up at a gathering based on past experiences. However, if there’s even a slight chance they won't arrive, infallibilism would argue this belief cannot be classified as knowledge. This strict requirement can complicate how we understand and justify our beliefs in everyday life.
• Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of infallibilism in the context of modern epistemology.
  • The strengths of infallibilism lie in its rigorous demand for certainty and precision in what we claim to know, helping to prevent misconceptions and errors in reasoning. However, its weaknesses are pronounced as well; it can exclude many justified beliefs from being recognized as knowledge simply due to potential fallibility. In modern epistemology, this creates tension between those who seek absolute certainty and those who embrace fallibilism, which recognizes the complexities and uncertainties inherent in human cognition and understanding.

Related terms

Gettier Problem: A challenge to the traditional definition of knowledge as justified true belief, highlighting situations where one has justified true belief without true knowledge.

Fallibilism: The epistemological position that acknowledges the possibility of error in knowledge claims, accepting that justified beliefs can still be false.

Justification: The process or reasons that support a belief, making it reasonable to hold that belief as knowledge.