9 Social Epistemology Free Online FlashCards

What does social epistemology study?

Social epistemology studies how social relationships and institutions shape the production, sharing, and evaluation of knowledge.

What is testimony?

Testimony is information conveyed by another person’s assertion or report, whether formal or informal.

What do reductionists say justifies accepting testimony?

Reductionists hold that a hearer needs independent reasons to regard the speaker or testimony as reliable.

What is the non-reductionist view of testimony?

Non-reductionists hold that testimony can provide basic justification; a hearer may accept a report unless there is a specific reason for doubt.

What is epistemic dependence?

Epistemic dependence is relying on others’ knowledge while lacking the resources to verify every detail independently.

Why is expertise domain-specific?

Expertise is domain-specific: skill in one field does not automatically confer authority in another.

What factors help identify a trustworthy expert?

Consider relevant training and experience, the quality of evidence and methods, and whether qualified specialists broadly support the conclusion.

What can disagreement signal about a belief?

Disagreement can be evidence that someone overlooked something or reasoned poorly, so it may warrant reconsidering a belief.

What are epistemic peers?

Epistemic peers have relevantly similar evidence and are about equally likely to reach the correct answer on a question.

What does conciliationism recommend after learning of a peer’s disagreement?

Conciliationism says that learning of a peer’s contrary judgment should normally lead someone to reconsider or reduce confidence.

What does the Equal Weight View recommend?

The Equal Weight View says to give an epistemic peer’s judgment as much weight as one’s own.

When can steadfast views permit retaining confidence?

Steadfast views allow someone to retain confidence when, for example, they have especially strong evidence or reason to think the other person made a mistake.