Gettier Problem

Definition

The Gettier Problem refers to situations where a person has a belief that is both justified and true, yet still fails to qualify as knowledge due to the presence of luck or coincidence. This challenges the traditional understanding of knowledge as justified true belief by showing that having these three components is not sufficient for knowledge.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Gettier Problem was introduced by philosopher Edmund Gettier in 1963, presenting cases where justified true beliefs do not qualify as knowledge.
2. Gettier cases typically involve scenarios where an individual arrives at a true belief through flawed reasoning or reliance on false premises.
3. The existence of Gettier cases has led philosophers to reconsider and modify the tripartite theory of knowledge, seeking additional conditions beyond justified true belief.
4. Many alternative theories have been proposed in response to the Gettier Problem, including reliabilism, which focuses on the reliability of the processes used to form beliefs.
5. The Gettier Problem has significant implications for epistemology, raising questions about the nature of knowledge and how we define and acquire it.

Review Questions

• How do Gettier cases challenge the traditional definition of knowledge as justified true belief?
  • Gettier cases illustrate scenarios where an individual holds a justified true belief that fails to constitute knowledge due to luck or coincidence. For example, if someone sees a clock showing the correct time but doesn't know it's broken and thus trusts it blindly, they have a justified true belief without truly knowing the time. This suggests that simply having justification and truth is not enough for knowledge, prompting further inquiry into what additional criteria might be necessary.
• Discuss how the Gettier Problem has influenced modern epistemological theories and responses.
  • The Gettier Problem has prompted significant re-evaluation of epistemological theories by highlighting the inadequacies in the tripartite definition of knowledge. As philosophers recognized that justified true belief can still lead to situations where knowledge is not achieved, various alternative theories emerged, including reliabilism and virtue epistemology. These approaches attempt to address the shortcomings exposed by Gettier cases by incorporating aspects like the reliability of belief-forming processes or the intellectual character of the knower.
• Evaluate the implications of the Gettier Problem for our understanding of a priori knowledge.
  • The Gettier Problem raises critical questions about a priori knowledge by suggesting that justification may not suffice even in cases where beliefs seem intuitively secure. For example, if someone reasons through logical deduction to arrive at a true conclusion but their reasoning is based on faulty premises, their belief might not count as genuine knowledge despite being logically justified. This prompts a deeper investigation into how we establish certainty in our beliefs and whether alternative frameworks for justification are needed to safeguard against Gettier-type errors.

Related terms

Justified True Belief:

A traditional account of knowledge that asserts a belief must be justified, true, and held by a person to count as knowledge.

Epistemic Justification:

The process or reasons that justify a belief, making it reasonable to hold that belief in the context of acquiring knowledge.

Skepticism:

The philosophical view that questions the possibility of certain or absolute knowledge, often in response to issues like the Gettier Problem.