the concept of knowledge – Diversity Reading List

Zagzebski, Linda. What is Knowledge?

1999, in John Greco & Ernest Sosa (eds.) The Blackwell Guide to Epistemology (Oxford: Blackwell)): 92-116.

Categories: Epistemology, Metaphysics & Epistemology, The Concept of Knowledge, The Gettier Problem

Keywords: Gettier, epistemology, the concept of knowledge

Expand entry: Added by: Emily Paul, Contributed by: Wayne Riggs

Summary: This chapter is an analysis of propositional knowledge, including how we are to define it, focusing on 'justified true belief' and Gettier objections. It concludes with a definition of knowledge as 'an act of intellectual virtue', drawing on virtue ethics. Zagzebski then defends this definition.

Comment: Very useful as an introduction to an introductory course on Epistemology. Sets the scene really well by introducing the concept of knowledge, and different kinds of knowledge and Gettier cases. For this reason, it would make a great first reading on an introductory epistemology module.

Difficulty: Easy

Recommended use: Introductory

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