PhD Doctor of Philosophy Epistemology and Theory of Knowledge

Question 1

What is the classical tripartite definition of knowledge according to Plato's Theaetetus?

Accepted Answer

Justified true belief

Answer

The classical definition holds that knowledge is justified true belief, though Gettier cases later challenged its sufficiency.

Question 2

Edmund Gettier's 1963 paper challenged the JTB account of knowledge by providing cases where justified true belief is:

Accepted Answer

Insufficient for knowledge

Answer

Gettier cases show that a person can have a justified true belief yet still lack knowledge due to epistemic luck.

Question 3

Foundationalism in epistemology holds that all knowledge ultimately rests on:

Accepted Answer

Basic or foundational beliefs

Answer

Foundationalism posits a structure of basic non-inferred beliefs that support all other justified beliefs.

Question 4

The view that beliefs are justified by their coherence within an interconnected system is called:

Accepted Answer

Coherentism

Answer

Coherentism, associated with thinkers like BonJour, judges justification by how well beliefs fit together in a web.

Question 5

Alvin Goldman's reliabilist epistemology defines justified belief as one produced by:

Accepted Answer

A reliable cognitive process

Answer

Reliabilism holds that a belief is justified if it is produced by a cognitive process that reliably yields true beliefs.

PhD Doctor of Philosophy Practice Test