Could Reliability Naturally imply Safety?

Spyridon Palermos

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The aim of the present paper is to argue that robust virtue epistemology is
correct. That is, a complete account of knowledge is not in need for an additional modal criterion in order to account for knowledge-undermining epistemic luck. I begin by presenting the problems facing robust virtue epistemology by examining two prominent counterexamples—the Barney and ‘epistemic twin earth’ cases. After proposing a way in which virtue epistemology can explain away these two problematic cases, thereby, implying that cognitive abilities are also safe, I offer a naturalistic explanation in support of this last claim, inspired by evolutionary epistemology. Finally, I argue that naturalised epistemology should not be thought of as being exclusively descriptive. On the contrary, the evolutionary story I offer in support of the claim that reliability implies safety can provide us with a plausible epistemic norm.
Original languageEnglish
JournalEuropean Journal of Philosophy
Early online date27 Aug 2013
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2013

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  • Extended Knowledge

    Pritchard, D., Clark, A., Kallestrup, J., Carter, J. A. & Palermos, S. O.

    AHRC

    1/01/1315/02/16

    Project: Research

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