Truth Checks
Knowledge and the Knower
Truth
Four theories of truth used to evaluate knowledge claims. Justified true belief and Gettier’s challenge.
Notes
Four truth checks — ways of evaluating whether a knowledge claim is true:
| Check | A claim is true when… |
|---|---|
| It matches observable reality | |
| It fits consistently with other accepted beliefs | |
| A relevant community of knowers agrees | |
| Believing it produces good outcomes in practice |
Linking truth to knowledge: The classical definition of knowledge as requires that a claim be true and justified and believed. Gettier (1963) showed this combination may not be sufficient — see the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy entry for the full argument.