Hi Only by using the term "knowledge" in a quirky or loose way would it be possible to say one has true knowledge without some sort of rational or empirical justification (I'm not certain that falsifiability is the only such criterion one can use). There is a discussion of this at http://www.wordiq.com/definition/Epistemology That is, in more correct usage, knowledge implies or assumes justification in a belief. Without sound justification, beliefs do not qualify as knowledge, no matter how certain we might be about our unsubstantiated belief. Indeed, isn't much of what we try to teach our students about how to substantiate beliefs (i.e., hypotheses) so that beliefs/speculations/hypotheses become sound knowledge about human behaviour? If we start to admit any strongly held belief as being "true knowledge," irrespective of its justification, the discipline is really lost. Of course, most people who do want to extend "truth" into a wider domain usually are quite restrictive about what beliefs they want to admit as true. Take care Jim James M. Clark Professor of Psychology 204-786-9757 204-774-4134 Fax j.cl...@uwinnipeg.ca
>>> Michael Smith <tipsl...@gmail.com> 20-Oct-10 6:14 PM >>> Chris wrote "Which is precisely why it doesn't count as a candidate for knowledge (for anyone remotely sympathetic to Popper)." I think I would agree that the statment wouldn't count as a scientific hypothesis, but not that it couldn't count as knowledge. To say that assumes a scientific world view where the falsifiability thing is king. It is conceivable, though, that one can have true knowledge without such knowledge being falsifyable in the least. --Mike --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: j.cl...@uwinnipeg.ca. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13251.645f86b5cec4da0a56ffea7a891720c9&n=T&l=tips&o=5841 or send a blank email to leave-5841-13251.645f86b5cec4da0a56ffea7a89172...@fsulist.frostburg.edu --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: arch...@jab.org. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5&n=T&l=tips&o=5844 or send a blank email to leave-5844-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
