Various answers to the skeptical argument

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18778/1689-4286.44.07

Keywords:

skeptical argument, contextualism, entailment thesis, closure principle, relevant alternatives

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to present various answers to the skeptical argument and propose an alternative solution. Suggested solution refers to the results of empirical research which lead to abandonment of entailment thesis concerning knowledge. My answer is contextualist inasmuch as it recognizes the existence of different concepts of knowledge. The applicability of these concepts depends on the situation; in a skeptical context the concept of knowledge is not accompanied by appropriate belief, and in ordinary contexts knowledge requires a belief of specific content.

References

Buckwalter W., Rose D., Turri J. (2013). Belief through Thick and Thin. Nous, Vol. 49, No. 4, 1-28,
View in Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/nous.12048

Cohen S. (2008), Ascriber Contextualism. W. Greco J. (red.), The Oxford Handbook of Skepticism (415-434). Oxford University Press
View in Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780195183214.003.0020

DeRose K. (1999), Introduction: Responding to Skepticism. W: DeRose K., Warfield T. A. (red.), Skepticism. A Contemporary Reader (1-22). Oxford University Press, New-York Oxford
View in Google Scholar

DeRose K. (1999), Solving the Skeptical Problem. W: DeRose K., Warfield T. A. (red.), Skepticism. A Contemporary Reader (183-219). Oxford University Press, New-York Oxford
View in Google Scholar

Dretske F. (1999), Epistemic Operators. W: DeRose K., Warfield T. A. (red.), Skepticism. A Contemporary Reader (131-144). Oxford University Press, New-York Oxford
View in Google Scholar

Forbes G. (1999), Realism and Skepticism: Brains in a Vat Revisited. W: DeRose K., Warfield T. A. (red.), Skepticism. A Contemporary Reader (61-75). Oxford University Press, New-York Oxford
View in Google Scholar

Lemos N. (2008), Moore and Skepticism. W: Greco J. (red.), The Oxford Handbook of Skepticism (330-345). Oxford University Press
View in Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780195183214.003.0016

Lewis D. (1999), Elusive Knowledge. W: DeRose K., Warfield T. A. (red.), Skepticism. A Contemporary Reader (220-239). Oxford University Press, New-York Oxford
View in Google Scholar

Myers-Schulz B., Schwitzgebel E. (2013). Knowing that p without believing that p. Nous, Vol. 47, No. 2, 371-384
View in Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/nous.12022

Nozick R. (1999), Philosophical Explanations. W: DeRose K., Warfield T. A. (red.), Skepticism. A Contemporary Reader (156-179) Oxford University Press, New-York Oxford
View in Google Scholar

Pritchard D. (2008), Sensitivity, Safety and Antiluck Epistemology. W: Greco J. (red.), The Oxford Handbook of Skepticism (437-455). Oxford University Press
View in Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780195183214.003.0021

Putnam H. (1999), Brains in a Vat. W: DeRose K., Warfield T. A. (red.), Skepticism. A Contemporary Reader (27-42). Oxford University Press, New-York Oxford
View in Google Scholar

Rose D., Schaffer J. (2013), Knowledge Entails Dispositional Belief. Philosophical Studies, 166, 19-50
View in Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11098-012-0052-z

Sosa E. (2000), Skepticism and Contextualism. Philosophical Issues, 10, 1-18
View in Google Scholar DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1758-2237.2000.tb00002.x

Stine G. (1999), Skepticism, Relevant Alternatives, and Deductive Closure. W: DeRose K., Warfield T. A. (red.), Skepticism. A Contemporary Reader (145-155). Oxford University Press, New-York Oxford
View in Google Scholar

Published

2019-03-30

How to Cite

Ebner, M. (2019). Various answers to the skeptical argument. Hybris, 44(1), 105–116. https://doi.org/10.18778/1689-4286.44.07

Issue

Section

Articles