Theoretical Responses and Methodology

Author(s):  
Mikkel Gerken

Chapter 3 begins with a partial taxonomy of the theoretical responses to the puzzling patterns of knowledge ascriptions. This includes a characterization of pragmatic encroachment that captures a wide variety of views. Moreover, the main lines of argument from the various effects on knowledge ascriptions to unorthodox theories of knowledge are sketched. The chapter concludes with a discussion of methodology. Some critical points are set forth against DeRose’s methodology of the straightforward. On a positive note, some principles of an alternative equilibristic methodology are articulated. According to this methodology, it is sometimes reasonable to revise our intuitive judgments in the light of theoretical considerations.

Author(s):  
Mikkel Gerken

Chapter 9 responds to arguments for pragmatic encroachment that appeal to the communicative functions of knowledge ascriptions or genealogical assumptions. The methodology of such arguments is criticized by way of a dilemma—the Functional Role Dilemma. A further dilemma for pragmatic encroachment—Pandora’s Dilemma—is then raised: many factors other than stakes can have an effect on knowledge ascriptions. So, pragmatic encroachers must either accept that these factors are partial determiners of knowledge or reject this. However, both options lead to trouble. Since these dilemmas are indicative of the mistakes in our intuitive judgments, Chapter 9 serves both the purpose of compromising mistaken appeals to folk epistemology and the purpose of guiding a positive account.


Author(s):  
Mikkel Gerken

On Folk Epistemology is a book about how we ascribe knowledge to ourselves and others. Empirical evidence suggests that we do so early and often in thought as well as in talk. Since such knowledge ascriptions are central to how we navigate social life, it is important to understand our basis for making them. A central claim of the book is that factors that have nothing to do with knowledge may lead to systematic mistakes in everyday ascriptions of knowledge. These mistakes are explained by an empirically informed account of how ordinary knowledge ascriptions are the product of cognitive heuristics that are associated with biases. In developing this account, the book presents work in cognitive psychology and pragmatics. But it also contributes to epistemology proper. For example, it develops positive epistemic norms of action and assertion. Moreover, it critically assesses contextualism, knowledge-first methodology, pragmatic encroachment theories, and more. Many of these approaches are argued to overestimate the epistemological significance of folk epistemology. In contrast, the book develops an equilibristic methodology according to which intuitive judgments about knowledge cannot straightforwardly play a role as data for epistemological theorizing. Rather, epistemological theorizing is required to interpret empirical findings. Consequently, On Folk Epistemology helps to lay the foundation for an emerging subfield that intersects philosophy and the cognitive sciences: the empirical study of folk epistemology.


Author(s):  
Mikkel Gerken

Chapter 5 surveys some empirical psychology and outlines some folk epistemological principles. By considering the heuristic and biases tradition, it is argued that ordinary knowledge ascriptions are standardly driven by heuristic processes and, therefore, associated with biases. This idea is integrated with a dual process framework for mental state ascriptions. On this basis, some of the central heuristic principles that govern intuitive judgments about knowledge ascriptions are articulated, and some of the biases associated with these principles are identified. The result is an account of an epistemic focal bias in intuitive judgments about knowledge ascription. Thus, Chapter 5 provides both a survey of relevant psychology and a development of the folk psychological principles governing knowledge ascriptions.


Episteme ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 157-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Shin

AbstractCiting some recent experimental findings, I argue for the surprising claim that in some cases the less time you have the more you know. More specifically, I present some evidence to suggest that our ordinary knowledge ascriptions are sometimes sensitive to facts about an epistemic subject's truth-irrelevant time constraints such that less (time) is more (knowledge). If knowledge ascriptions are sensitive in this manner, then this is some evidence of pragmatic encroachment. Along the way, I consider comments made by Jonathan Schaffer (2006) and Jennifer Nagel (2008, 2010) to construe a purist contextualist and a strict invariantist explanation of the data respectively, before giving reasons to resist them in favor of an account that indicates pragmatic encroachment. If successful, this may suggest a new way to argue for the controversial thesis that there is pragmatic encroachment on knowledge.


Author(s):  
Yves Balasko

The global coordinate system for the equilibrium manifold follows from: (1) the determination of the unique fiber F(b) through the equilibrium (ρ‎, ω‎) where b = φ‎((ρ‎, ω‎) = (ρ‎, ρ‎ · ρ‎1, …, ρ‎ · ρ‎m); and (2) the determination of the location of the equilibrium (ρ‎, ω‎) within the fiber F(b) viewed as a linear space of dimension (ℓ − 1)(m − 1) and, therefore, parameterized by (ℓ − 1)(m − 1) coordinates. If there is little leeway in determining the fiber F(b) through the equilibrium (ρ‎, ω‎), there are different ways of representing the equilibrium (ρ‎, ω‎) within its fiber F(b). This leads to the definition of coordinate systems (A) and (B) for the equilibrium manifold. This chapter defines these two coordinate systems and applies them to obtain an analytical characterization of the critical equilibria, i.e., the critical points of the natural projection.


Episteme ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Briana Toole

Abstract Standpoint epistemology, the view that social identity is relevant to knowledge-acquisition, has been consigned to the margins of mainstream philosophy. In part, this is because the principles of standpoint epistemology are taken to be in opposition to those which guide traditional epistemology. One goal of this paper is to tease out the characterization of traditional epistemology that is at odds with standpoint epistemology. The characterization of traditional epistemology that I put forth is one which endorses the thesis of intellectualism, the view that knowledge does not depend on non-epistemic features. I then suggest that two further components – the atomistic view of knowers and aperspectivalism – can be usefully interpreted as supporting features of intellectualism. A further goal of this paper is to show that we ought to resist this characterization of traditional epistemology. I use pragmatic encroachment as a dialectical tool to motivate the denial of intellectualism, and consequently, the denial of both supporting components. I then attempt to show how it is possible to have a view, similar to pragmatic encroachment, that takes social identity, rather than stakes, to be the feature that makes a difference to what a person is in a position to know.


2018 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 193-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eduardo Kaiser Ururahy Nunes Fonseca ◽  
Milena Rocha Peixoto ◽  
Francisco de Assis Cavalcante Júnior ◽  
Antonio Rahal Júnior ◽  
Miguel José Francisco Neto ◽  
...  

Abstract Emergencies involving the inguinal region and scrotum are common and can be caused by a plethora of different causes. In most cases, such conditions have nonspecific symptoms and are quite painful. Some inguinoscrotal conditions have high complication rates. Early and accurate diagnosis is therefore imperative. Ultrasound is the method of choice for the initial evaluation of this vast range of conditions, because it is a rapid, ionizing radiation-free, low-cost method. Despite the practicality and accuracy of the method, which make it ideal for use in emergency care, the examiner should be experienced and should be familiarized with the ultrasound findings of the most common inguinoscrotal diseases. On the basis of that knowledge, the examiner should also be able to make an accurate, direct, precise report, helping the emergency room physician make decisions regarding the proper (clinical or surgical) management of each case. Here, we review most of the inguinoscrotal conditions, focusing on the imaging findings and discussing the critical points for the appropriate characterization of each condition.


1979 ◽  
Vol 74 ◽  
pp. 67-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas E. Cecil ◽  
Patrick J. Ryan

In 1972, Nomizu and Rodriguez [5] found the following characterization of the complete umbilic submanifolds of Euclidean space.Theorem A. Let Mn, n ≥ 2, be a connected, complete Riemannian manifold isometrically immersed in a Euclidean space Em. Every Morse function of the form Lp has index 0 or n at all of its critical points if and only if Mnis embedded as a Euclidean n-subspace or a Euclidean n-sphere in Em.


2005 ◽  
Vol 15 (04) ◽  
pp. 1253-1265 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. ÁLVAREZ ◽  
A. GASULL

We give a new and short proof of the characterization of monodromic nilpotent critical points. We also calculate the first generalized Lyapunov constants in order to solve the stability problem. We apply the results to several families of planar systems obtaining necessary and sufficient conditions for having a center. Our method also allows us to generate limit cycles from the origin.


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