Knowledge Tree
Relations (1)
related 3.17 — strongly supporting 8 facts
The relationship exists because global reductionism is a philosophical position that attempts to define the conditions under which testimony can be considered a reliable source of knowledge [1]. Critics argue that this framework fails because it treats testimony as a homogeneous category [2] and leads to logical regresses or circularity when attempting to justify its general reliability {fact:4, fact:5}.
Facts (8)
Sources
Epistemological Problems of Testimony plato.stanford.edu 6 facts
claimLocal Reductionism avoids the problems of Global Reductionism by evaluating the reliability of individual pieces of testimony on a case-by-case basis rather than treating testimony as a unified category.
claimThe objection that Local Reductionism precludes children from learning from parental testimony also applies to Global Reductionism.
claimOpponents of Global Reductionism argue that acquiring non-testimonial reasons to justify the general reliability of testimony leads to either a vicious circle or an insurmountable regress, as confirming the reliability of one speaker often requires relying on the testimony of others.
perspectiveCritics of Global Reductionism argue that it is a mistake to treat testimony as a unified, homogeneous category of knowledge, because the reliability of testimony varies significantly depending on the subject matter, such as the difference between music preferences and political opinions.
claimOpponents of Global Reductionism argue that justifying the general reliability of testimony requires individuals to independently verify a vast number of facts, which is practically impossible due to time and resource constraints.
claimLocal Reductionism avoids the vicious circles and regresses associated with Global Reductionism because it does not require third-party testimony to establish the reliability of a speaker.
Social Epistemology - Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy plato.stanford.edu 1 fact
claimGlobal reductionism holds that for a listener to justifiably accept a speaker's report, the listener must possess non-testimonially based positive reasons to believe that testimony is generally reliable.
Social Epistemology - Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy plato.stanford.edu 1 fact
perspectiveC.A.J. Coady argues against global reductionism, asserting that the observational basis of ordinary epistemic agents is too limited to support an inductive inference regarding the general reliability of testimony.