Unit 1: Introduction to Knowledge

Key Concepts

Absolutism a belief that universal facts/truths can be discovered

Authority worship blind acceptance of information because it comes from a
source that is trusted.

Belief acceptance that a statement is true or that something exists.

Certainty conviction and justification that something is true. Certainty is what
separates belief from knowledge.

Coherence Theory of Truth a proposition is true if it is consistent with other
things that are considered true (and do not contradict it)

Correspondence Theory of Truth a proposition is true if it corresponds to
(or reflects) reality

Evidence available information which indicates whether a proposition or
belief is true or valid

Gullibility easily persuaded to believe something

Justified true belief Platos definition of knowledge, which states that in order
for something to be knowledge, it must be true, it must be believed to be true,
and the belief must be justified.

Knowledge the awareness and understanding of facts, truths or information
gained in the form of experience or learning. Knowledge is also commonly
defined as justified true belief.

Knowledge claim an assertion that something is true

Knowledge question a question about the nature of knowledge

Personal knowledge Things I know. Personal knowledge depends on the
experiences of a particular individual. It is gained through experience, practice
and personal involvement.

Pragmatic Theory of Truth a proposition is true if it is useful to us. Whether
or not it reflects reality is of minor importance.
Primary knowledge knowledge attained by oneself.

Relativism a belief that there is no absolute truth or validity, only relative,
subjective truths which differ according to ones perspective

Second-hand knowledge knowledge attained through other people.

Shared knowledge Things we know. Shared knowledge is highly structured,
systematic in its nature and the product of more than one individual; shared
knowledge changes and evolves over time. These changes might be slow and
incremental or they could be sudden and dramatic revolutionary shifts in
knowledge or paradigm shifts.

Skepticism doubting/questioning accepted opinions

Truth conformity to fact or reality. Truth is public, eternal, and independent.
Debate exists as to whether it is invented or discovered, objective or subjective,
relative or absolute. The pragmatic, correspondence and coherence theories of
truth can help us determine whether something is true or false.