Local skepticism

Definition

Local skepticism is the philosophical position that questions the possibility of knowledge in specific domains or contexts while not necessarily rejecting knowledge in other areas. This form of skepticism arises from the recognition that our beliefs and claims to knowledge may be contingent upon particular conditions or perspectives, suggesting that certainty is elusive in certain fields while remaining achievable in others.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Local skepticism can apply to various domains such as ethics, religion, and science, where different standards for knowledge might exist.
2. It does not claim that all knowledge is unattainable but instead focuses on specific areas where certainty is hard to achieve.
3. Local skeptics often engage in a critical examination of how beliefs are justified within certain contexts, revealing limitations in those justifications.
4. This type of skepticism highlights the importance of perspective and context in shaping our understanding of what can be known.
5. Local skepticism challenges the notion of absolute truths by suggesting that knowledge claims must be assessed within their respective domains.

Review Questions

• How does local skepticism differentiate between various domains of knowledge?
  • Local skepticism recognizes that knowledge may be attainable in some areas while being elusive in others. For instance, one might accept empirical knowledge in science but maintain skepticism about moral claims due to differing standards of justification. This differentiation helps illustrate that certainty is not uniform across all fields, as it depends heavily on context and specific conditions surrounding each domain.
• In what ways does local skepticism challenge traditional views of absolute knowledge?
  • Local skepticism challenges traditional views by arguing against the idea that all knowledge can be known with certainty. It emphasizes that different areas may have varying criteria for what counts as justified belief, leading to a recognition that absolute truths may not exist universally. This perspective encourages a more nuanced understanding of knowledge claims and acknowledges the complexities involved in different fields of inquiry.
• Evaluate the implications of local skepticism for epistemology and how it influences our approach to acquiring knowledge.
  • Local skepticism has significant implications for epistemology as it calls into question the assumptions we make about certainty and justification across various fields. By acknowledging the limitations and context-dependence of our beliefs, it prompts a reevaluation of how we approach knowledge acquisition. This influence encourages a more flexible methodology that adapts to specific domains while fostering an appreciation for the diverse ways in which understanding can be achieved, ultimately enriching our overall epistemological framework.

Related terms

Global skepticism: The broader philosophical stance that doubts the possibility of any knowledge whatsoever, asserting that no belief can be known to be true.

Epistemology:

The branch of philosophy concerned with the nature, scope, and limits of knowledge, including the sources and justification for what we claim to know.

Contextualism:

The view that the truth-value of knowledge claims can vary depending on the context in which they are expressed, emphasizing how context affects our understanding of knowledge.