GETTIER PROBLEM Meaning and
Definition
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The Gettier problem refers to a philosophical issue in the field of epistemology, specifically concerned with the concept of knowledge and the conditions necessary for a belief to be considered knowledge. Coined by American philosopher Edmund Gettier in 1963, the problem challenges the traditional notion of knowledge as justified true belief (also known as the JTB account).
According to the JTB account, for a belief to be considered knowledge, it must be true, believed by the knower, and justified by supporting evidence or reasons. However, Gettier demonstrated that there can be cases where these conditions are satisfied, yet the belief is not truly knowledge. He presented counterexamples in the form of "Gettier cases," scenarios where an individual possesses a justified and true belief, but that belief is the result of luck or accidental circumstances.
These cases undermine the JTB account and raise questions about the nature of knowledge. They challenge the idea that mere belief, truth, and justification are sufficient for knowledge, highlighting the need for further criteria or conditions. The Gettier problem stimulated a significant amount of discussion and debate in epistemology, leading to the emergence of alternative theories of knowledge such as reliabilism and virtue epistemology.
In conclusion, the Gettier problem is a philosophical puzzle that exposes the inadequacies of the traditional JTB account of knowledge by providing counterexamples in the form of Gettier cases. It serves as a crucial challenge to our understanding of what constitutes knowledge and has generated substantial scholarly discussion in the field of epistemology.
Etymology of GETTIER PROBLEM
The term "Gettier problem" is named after the American philosopher Edmund Gettier. In 1963, Gettier published a paper called "Is Justified True Belief Knowledge?" which presented a counterexample to the classical definition of knowledge as "justified true belief".
Although Gettier did not explicitly name the problem after himself, later philosophers began referring to the issue he raised as the "Gettier problem". The term is now widely used in epistemology, the branch of philosophy that deals with the nature of knowledge.
