Tracking Theories

Definition

Tracking theories are approaches to understanding knowledge that emphasize the connection between belief and the truth across possible worlds. These theories suggest that for someone to know a proposition, their belief must 'track' the truth in various relevant situations, ensuring that if the proposition were false, the individual would not believe it. This idea addresses concerns raised by Gettier cases and seeks to establish a more robust definition of knowledge by linking epistemic justification with the reliability of belief in relation to the truth.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Tracking theories were developed as a response to traditional definitions of knowledge that were challenged by Gettier problems.
2. According to tracking theories, a belief counts as knowledge only if there is a strong correlation between the belief and the truth across various possible scenarios.
3. These theories often involve analyzing different possible worlds to see if a belief would hold under different conditions.
4. Tracking theories suggest that knowledge requires not just truth and justification but also a reliable connection between one’s belief and the truth.
5. One critique of tracking theories is that they may be too demanding, as they require individuals to track truths across all possible situations, which may not be practical.

Review Questions

• How do tracking theories improve upon traditional definitions of knowledge when addressing Gettier cases?
  • Tracking theories enhance traditional definitions of knowledge by providing a mechanism to account for cases where justified true belief fails due to luck, as illustrated in Gettier cases. By emphasizing the importance of tracking the truth across possible worlds, these theories argue that for a belief to qualify as knowledge, it must not only be true but also closely connected to its truth in varying situations. This adds an additional layer of robustness in defining knowledge, thereby addressing weaknesses highlighted by Gettier problems.
• Discuss the relationship between tracking theories and externalism in epistemology.
  • Tracking theories align with externalism in that they recognize external factors as significant in determining whether a belief constitutes knowledge. Both perspectives argue against purely internalist views, which focus solely on an individual's mental states. In tracking theories, the emphasis is on how well beliefs correlate with truths across possible worlds, which often involves external factors influencing one's epistemic justification. This highlights a broader understanding of knowledge that incorporates environmental elements rather than just internal mental criteria.
• Evaluate the implications of tracking theories on our understanding of epistemic justification in light of real-world scenarios.
  • The implications of tracking theories on epistemic justification challenge conventional notions by asserting that our beliefs must be reliably connected to the truth across diverse contexts. In real-world scenarios, this means that individuals must consider how their beliefs hold up under varying circumstances and whether they can maintain their belief when faced with contrary evidence. This evaluation calls into question many commonly held beliefs, pushing us to reflect on how we justify our knowledge claims and whether they stand up against potential variations in reality, ultimately affecting how we approach learning and understanding.

Related terms

Gettier Problems:

Situations in which a person has a justified true belief that does not qualify as knowledge due to the presence of luck or coincidental circumstances.

Reliabilism:

An epistemological theory that defines justification in terms of the reliability of the processes through which beliefs are formed.

Externalism:

The view that factors outside a person's mental states can contribute to the justification of their beliefs.