The problem of easy knowledge

Definition

The problem of easy knowledge refers to the challenge in epistemology regarding the acquisition of knowledge through seemingly trivial or insufficiently rigorous means. This concept raises questions about whether one can genuinely know something based solely on evidence that is too easily obtainable, thereby undermining the traditional standards for what constitutes justified true belief. It highlights concerns about whether knowledge can be obtained without a significant level of cognitive effort or deeper justification, particularly in light of Gettier cases that reveal flaws in previous definitions of knowledge.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The problem of easy knowledge arises when individuals claim to know something based on evidence that does not require sufficient justification or rigorous reasoning.
2. It challenges traditional views on justification by suggesting that simply having accessible evidence may not be enough to constitute genuine knowledge.
3. Philosophers have debated how to adjust the criteria for knowledge to account for the potential pitfalls of easy knowledge, especially in light of Gettier-style counterexamples.
4. The issue is significant in discussions of internalism and externalism, as it impacts how we view the nature and accessibility of justification in forming beliefs.
5. Addressing the problem of easy knowledge may lead to new approaches in defining what counts as adequate justification for a belief to be considered true knowledge.

Review Questions

• How does the problem of easy knowledge relate to traditional views on justified true belief?
  • The problem of easy knowledge challenges traditional views on justified true belief by questioning whether simply having accessible evidence is sufficient for genuine knowledge. It suggests that if knowledge can be acquired too easily, then it undermines the robustness expected from justified beliefs. This connection highlights a need for more rigorous standards when considering what constitutes adequate justification for claiming to know something.
• In what ways do Gettier cases illustrate the implications of the problem of easy knowledge?
  • Gettier cases illustrate the implications of the problem of easy knowledge by providing examples where individuals possess justified true beliefs that fail to qualify as knowledge due to epistemic luck or coincidence. These cases show that even when evidence seems sufficient, it may lead to conclusions that are not reliably connected to the truth. This highlights the necessity for additional conditions beyond mere justification and truth to secure the status of knowledge.
• Evaluate how the problem of easy knowledge influences discussions around internalism and externalism in epistemology.
  • The problem of easy knowledge significantly influences discussions around internalism and externalism by bringing into focus the debate over the accessibility and nature of justification. Internalism argues that justifications for beliefs must be accessible to the thinker, while externalism posits that factors outside one's awareness can contribute to justification. The challenge presented by easy knowledge calls for an examination of how these perspectives approach the requirements for adequate justification, ultimately shaping our understanding of what it means to truly know something.

Related terms

Gettier Problem: A set of scenarios that demonstrate that having a justified true belief does not necessarily guarantee knowledge, as they reveal situations where individuals have beliefs that are true by coincidence.

Justification: The reasoning or evidence that supports a belief and qualifies it as knowledge, playing a crucial role in distinguishing between mere opinion and actual knowledge.

Epistemic Luck: The idea that an individual can arrive at a true belief by chance rather than through a reliable method, which raises questions about the legitimacy of that belief as knowledge.