SOME WEAK POINTS OF LEWIS’ THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE ASCRIPTIONS Cover Image

NEKE SLABE TAČKE LUISOVE TEORIJE O TVRĐENJIMA KOJIMA SE PRIPISUJE ZNANJE SUBJEKTU
SOME WEAK POINTS OF LEWIS’ THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE ASCRIPTIONS

Author(s): Aleksandra Davidović
Subject(s): Epistemology, Contemporary Philosophy, Philosophy of Language
Published by: Filozofsko društvo Srbije
Keywords: David Lewis; theory of relevant alternatives; epistemic contextualism; philosophical scepticism; the rule of attention;

Summary/Abstract: This paper explores and criticizes some aspects of David Lewis’ theory of knowledge ascriptions. In section one I present the sceptical paradox and the basic assumptions of epistemic contextualism. In section two I explain how Lewis combines the relevant alternatives theory with epistemic contextualism in formulating his theory of knowledge ascriptions. In section three I show that this theory allows knowledge which is based purely on ignoring and I argue that this unfavourable consequence stems from the way in which Lewis formulated the rule of belief within his theory. In the concluding section I point out the problematic aspects and ad hoc character of Lewis’ rule of attention and claim that it was thus formulated so as to be able to solve the sceptical paradox. Finally, I claim that Lewis’ theory of knowledge ascriptions is untenable in its original form.

  • Issue Year: 66/2023
  • Issue No: 3
  • Page Range: 21-37
  • Page Count: 17
  • Language: Serbian