Sensitivity condition

Definition

The sensitivity condition is a criterion in epistemology that states that if a person knows a proposition, then they must not only be justified in believing it but also that their belief must be sensitive to the truth of the proposition. This means that if the proposition were false, the person would not believe it. This condition plays a significant role in discussions about knowledge, particularly in addressing issues raised by Gettier problems and shaping post-Gettier theories. It is also crucial in evaluating the impact of external factors on knowledge claims and in assessing the reliability of truth-conducive processes.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The sensitivity condition helps differentiate between genuine knowledge and mere lucky guesses, reinforcing the importance of the relationship between belief and truth.
2. In addressing Gettier problems, the sensitivity condition emerges as a key factor for post-Gettier theories that aim to redefine what constitutes knowledge.
3. Externalism challenges the sensitivity condition by suggesting that factors outside a person's awareness can influence their knowledge without their conscious recognition.
4. Reliabilism, while offering an alternative view of justification, also grapples with how the sensitivity condition applies to processes deemed reliable for producing knowledge.
5. Critics of the sensitivity condition argue that it may not adequately account for cases where beliefs are based on evidence that could still lead to false conclusions.

Review Questions

• How does the sensitivity condition relate to Gettier problems and the traditional definition of knowledge?
  • The sensitivity condition directly addresses one of the shortcomings highlighted by Gettier problems, which show that having a justified true belief does not necessarily equate to knowledge. According to this condition, for someone to truly know a proposition, their belief must be sensitive to its truth; if the proposition were false, they would not hold that belief. This adds an additional layer to understanding knowledge beyond simple justification and truth.
• What implications does the sensitivity condition have for post-Gettier theories of knowledge?
  • Post-Gettier theories seek to refine our understanding of knowledge by addressing its deficiencies exposed by Gettier cases. The sensitivity condition plays a crucial role here, as it suggests that knowledge must include not just justified true belief but also a connection between belief and truth that accounts for possible falsity. This encourages theorists to develop criteria that ensure beliefs align closely with the actual state of affairs in order to avoid Gettier-like scenarios.
• Evaluate how externalist perspectives challenge the sensitivity condition and its application in epistemology.
  • Externalist perspectives pose significant challenges to the sensitivity condition by arguing that factors external to an individual's cognitive state can contribute to their knowledge claims. For instance, externalism suggests that as long as a belief-forming process is reliable or properly functioning in an appropriate environment, it can yield knowledge even if the individual is unaware of certain external truths. This raises questions about whether sensitivity should remain a core requirement for knowledge or if other criteria could be prioritized in assessing what it means to know something.

Related terms

Gettier problems: Situations in which a person has a justified true belief, yet intuitively lacks knowledge due to the presence of luck or coincidence.

justification:

The process of providing reasons or evidence to support a belief, which is essential for establishing knowledge.

reliabilism: A theory of knowledge that suggests that a belief is justified if it is produced by a process that reliably leads to true beliefs.