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Conception of knowledge
Introduction
It is a well-documented fact; analysis of knowledge is a fundamental aspect which many have different interpretations. In essence, there are two kinds of knowledge. Knowledge of things known as descriptive knowledge with productive knowledge that involve a change of things. With this regard, researchers argue that, each of the knowledge consist of particulars and generalities (Bridges 3). This implies that, level of learning is classified in various categories of memorization, application and understanding. With this in mind, there have been various philosophers regarding interpretations of conception of knowledge. These include Plato’s conception of knowledge in the theaetatus and Getter’s conception of knowledge. In this regard, this paper seeks to compare and contrast the views of two philosophers; Plato and Gettier.
Plato’s conception of knowledge in the theaetatus
According to Hetherington (20), the Theaetatus is the Plato’s dialogues about the nature of knowledge. In facts, Theaetatus introduces knowledge as the perception of true judgment. In conjunction with this, Theaetatus assume knowledge as the true belief, which mostly are proved with facts. With this regard, Socrates assumption is different who promptly observes, which orators and lawyers tend to believe they are skilled to persuade people to anything they say. Stimulated by the concept of dream, Theaetatus believe that knowledge is true judgment accompanied with Logos. This concept is thereafter assumed to be the knowledge of the complex which means true belief. In this regard, Socrates uses syllables and letters as example stating that, the first syllables of the name Socrates is comprised of letters O and S and with this in mind, one can’t give the similar account in the sense that, they are simple vocals flatus. With this regard, knowledge depends on an individual judgment.
As said previously, analysis of knowledge in the Theaetatus been influenced by Plato who deeply propose that knowledge is the true belief based on the account or otherwise logos. In facts, in the Theaetatus assumption on conception of knowledge is that, truth is something, which if not found, can be locked and appreciated in a systematic way. In this aspect, the first thing that Plato is concerned about knowledge is that, learning process is relevant to acquiring knowledge. Nevertheless, this is not equivalent to acquiring skills like that of a skilful musician. In this case, a skillful musician requires more practical work than that of the learning process. Secondly, Theaetatus aspect of knowledge is developed in the insight that, if an individual perception whether based on sense experience or else rational process is equivalent to truth, which in this case, there would be no learning process. The third concept deals with knowledge as belief through which socrate compares human mind to that of birdcage. In this case, the belief of knowledge is outlined to be what man keeps on hunting about his mind on knowledge of something which a time may grab the wrong thing. In this regard, …..raises a contentious issue that, during conception of knowledge, an individual may mistake eleven with twelve. Subsequently, theaetatus outline that, one may not distinguish between the two numbers outlined above thus, concluding the assumption of knowledge to be a belief.
Gettier’s conception of knowledge
According to Axtell (10), Edmund owe reputation as an American Philosopher that composed the traditional philosophical description of knowledge in his paper in 1963. In his attempt, Edmund Gettier utilized the thought of experiment through which the person acquire the knowledge criteria and yet seems not have knowledge. With this regard, the 1963 justification of Gettier is that, true belief is not adequate for knowledge in the sense that, an individual can be justified in believing the proposition that in reality is false. In demonstrating this, Gettier outline how chance events may be justified true beliefs while in facts, they are false belief. In outlining this, Gettier outline that, in such cases, events occur to justify beliefs. With this in mind, Gettier conception of knowledge is that, an individual can have justified true belief yet, not sufficient for knowledge. In proving his facts, he gives an example of an individual by name Smith who has a justified assumption that Jones the colleague will get the job because he has 10 coins in his pocket. In reality, Jones fails to get the job and instead, Smith does. Nevertheless, Smith unknowingly find ten coins in his pocket, which as a result, makes the facts to be justified despite failing to have the concept of knowledge. This is the reason why Gettier finds it wrong with knowledge being justified to be true belief.
In order to make knowledge more sensible, Gettier believe that, one requires new conception of justification in the sense that, only apparent justification leads to belief in the proposition. It is with no doubt; Gettier assume that, if an individual has enough information and not used in an accurate way, can lead to falsity despite the justification. In conjunction with this, Gettier’s is justified by the fact that, the conception of knowledge as well as, the justification is the initial step of figuring out when a person posses true aspect of knowledge. With this regard, the more an individual learn the word, the more he becomes more confident to the particular claim thus, not justifying knowledge as, necessary true belief (Wray 23).
Differences between Gettier’s and Plato’s conception of knowledge
According to Wray (25), Plato conception of knowledge states that, for an individual to say he knows something, it must be true, consciously and justifiable while on the other hand, Gettier believe that, no knowledge is claimed in false beliefs until further knowledge proves. Secondly, Gettier assumption of acquiring knowledge differs to Plato in the sense that; Plato outline acquiring of knowledge to be based on individual judgment. On the other hand, Gettier believe that, an individual can have justified true belief yet, not sufficient for knowledge thus should not be based on an individual judgment. Thirdly, Theaetatus aspect of knowledge is developed in the insight that, if an individual perception whether based on sense experience or else rational process is equivalent to truth, which in this case, there would be no learning process while Gettier disagree on this aspect arguing that, despite an individual having enough information can lead to false interpretation if not interpreted correctly.
Similarities between Gettier’s and Plato’s conception of knowledge
Both Gettier’s and Plato’s assumption on conception of knowledge involves the concept of checking true belief as the foundation of knowledge. Despite of the two aspects differing in explanation, one thing is common in both assumptions; beliefs are less or more certain if, they can be derived in foundation of beliefs. Such beliefs are the foundation of the conception of knowledge.
Best assumption
Based on my perception, am greatly inspired by the great work of Gettier who in his attempt outline that, knowledge does not consist of justification of true belief. There is truth in this assumption in the sense that, people’s belief should not determine the concept of knowledge. This is because, an individual may belief something to be true and despite the beliefs; fails to have accurate definition on assumption thus, no knowledge (Axtell 18). Axtell (18) argue that, it seems reasonable outlining that, knowledge does not require justification in the sense that, in identifying knowledge with justification would be doubtful in that, a belief that is just doest not meet the criteria of knowledge. With this in mind, I oppose the Plato argument on the aspect that, knowledge is perceptions who in his assumption believe that man is the measure of all things. Ironically, Theaetatus contend that, if a man claims it is hot despite the weather being hot; it may be true in the sense that, beauty lies in the eye of the beholder. With this in mind, I disagree on this aspect and conquer with Gettier assumption that, despite justifications with beliefs there should be no assurance that the facts are true. This is because, although there may be evidences; it may not at all time outline foundation of knowledge.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is important noting that, there are various philosophers assist to explaining the conception of knowledge such as Theaetatus and Gettier. With this in mind, this paper has compared and contrasted the views Theaetatus and Gettier conception of knowledge.
Work cited
Axtell, Guy. Knowledge, belief, and character: readings in virtue epistemology. New York: Rowman & Littlefield, 2000. Print
Hetherington, Stephen. How to Know: A Practicalist Conception of Knowledge. New York: John Wiley and Sons, 2011. Print
Nesher, Dan. On truth and the representation of reality: a collection of inquiries from a pragmatist point of view. California: University Press of America, 2002. Print
Bridges, David. Education, democracy, & discussion. London: NFER, 1979. Print
Wray, Brad. Knowledge and inquiry: readings in epistemology. New York: Broadview Press, 2002. Print
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