Epistemicism: The Unknowable Truths

Overview

Epistemicism is a philosophical position that asserts the existence of truths that cannot be known. It suggests that our epistemic limitations prevent us from accessing certain facts, even if those facts exist.

Key Concepts

The core idea of epistemicism is that knowledge has limits. This doesn’t mean that no knowledge is possible, but rather that there are boundaries to what can be known. It is often contrasted with other views on vagueness and knowledge.

Deep Dive

Epistemicism is particularly relevant in debates concerning vagueness. Consider the sorites paradox (paradox of the heap): If removing one grain of sand doesn’t turn a heap into a non-heap, then how does a heap cease to be a heap? Epistemicism suggests that at some precise, but unknowable, point, the object ceases to be a heap. There is a sharp boundary, but we cannot know where it lies.

Applications

The primary application of epistemicism is in resolving paradoxes related to vagueness and epistemic access. It offers a way to maintain classical logic while acknowledging the fuzzy nature of many concepts in language and the world.

Challenges & Misconceptions

A common misconception is that epistemicism implies radical skepticism. However, it only claims that some specific truths are unknowable, not that all knowledge is impossible. The main challenge lies in explaining why these truths are unknowable.

FAQs

• What is the sorites paradox? It’s a paradox arising from vague predicates, often illustrated with the concept of a heap of sand.
• Does epistemicism deny all knowledge? No, it claims only that certain truths are unknowable.
• What is the main argument for epistemicism? It preserves classical logic and avoids certain paradoxes associated with vagueness.