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Graham
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Epistemology of Testimony | Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy iep.utm.edu 9 facts
claimGraham argues that proponents of the principles PER (perception) and MEM (memory) should reject the idea that a difference in the degree of reliability between sources constitutes a difference in epistemic kind.
referenceThe Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy categorizes epistemological views on testimony based on conditions for the testifier (T-side) and the recipient (S-side), identifying four categories: Reductionism (demanding on both sides), Anti-Reductionism (demanding on T-side, less demanding on S-side), and other variations involving thinkers such as Audi, Fricker, Lackey, Burge, Plantinga, Ross, Welbourne, Goldberg, Graham, and Green.
claimGraham defends the principle TEST, which states that if a subject comprehends a presentation-as-true by a speaker and this causes or sustains the subject's belief, that confers justification on the belief, against those who accept the principles PER (perception) and MEM (memory) but reject TEST.
perspectiveGraham argues that the reasons to adopt the PER principle, rather than viewing perceptual beliefs as inferential, are parallel to the reasons to adopt the TEST principle.
quoteGraham (2000) posits that "knowledge is not transferred through communication, rather Information is conveyed."
accountIn a case discussed by Graham (2000b), a testifier (T) cannot distinguish between two twins (A and B), but the hearer (S) knows that twin B could not have knocked over a vase; therefore, when the testifier claims twin A knocked over the vase, the hearer's belief is sustained by the hearer's independent knowledge that twin B did not do it.
claimLiberals such as Graham and Plantinga argue that the possibility of interpreting testimonial utterances does not necessarily justify belief in the reliability of testimony, challenging Coady’s Davidsonian argument.
claimGraham defends the TEST principle against philosophers who accept the PER and MEM principles.
claimGraham argues that the reasons to adopt the principle PER (perception) as a non-inferential source are directly parallel to the reasons to adopt the principle TEST (testimony) as a non-inferential source.
Epistemological Problems of Testimony plato.stanford.edu Apr 1, 2021 1 fact
procedureGraham (1997) defines testimony as: S testifies that p if and only if (i) S's stating that p is offered as evidence that p, (ii) S intends that his audience believe that he has the relevant competence, authority, or credentials to state truly that p, and (iii) S's statement that p is believed by S to be relevant to some question that he believes is disputed or unresolved and is directed at those whom he believes to be in need of evidence on the matter.