<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>What is the concept of knowledge for? What does it <italic>do</italic> for us? This question cannot be severed from considerations about <italic>what we do</italic> by using it. In this paper, I propose to view the point of our concept of knowledge in terms of a device for acknowledging epistemic authority in a social and normative space in which we share valuable information. It is our way of collectively expressing the acknowledgment we owe to others because of their being creditable when engaged in the task of knowing. By using the concept of knowledge we are not just marking the epistemic positions we occupy, we are also acknowledging epistemic authority and indicating the advisability of taking oneself or others as “ready” for the transmission of authority.</p></abstract>

What is the concept of knowledge for? What does it do for us? This question cannot be severed from considerations about what we do by using it. In this paper, I propose to view the point of our concept of knowledge in terms of a device for acknowledging epistemic authority in a social and normative space in which we share valuable information. It is our way of collectively expressing the acknowledgment we owe to others because of their being creditable when engaged in the task of knowing. By using the concept of knowledge we are not just marking the epistemic positions we occupy, we are also acknowledging epistemic authority and indicating the advisability of taking oneself or others as “ready” for the transmission of authority.

The Concept of Knowledge: What is It For?

Disputatio

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{"article-title":"The Concept of Knowledge: What is It For?"}

What is the concept of knowledge for? What does it do for us? This question cannot be severed from considerations about what we do by using it. In this paper,...

The Concept of Knowledge: What is It For?

Publié en ligne: 31 déc. 2018

Pages: 187 - 202

Reçu: 19 juil. 2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/disp-2016-0011

Mots clés
Concept of knowledge, certification view, credibility, epistemic authority, acknowledgment

© 2016 Jesús Vega-Encabo, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

The Concept of Knowledge: What is It For?

Publié en ligne: 31 déc. 2018

Pages: 187 - 202

Reçu: 19 juil. 2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/disp-2016-0011

Mots clésConcept of knowledge, certification view, credibility, epistemic authority, acknowledgment

© 2016 Jesús Vega-Encabo, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Mots clés
Concept of knowledge, certification view, credibility, epistemic authority, acknowledgment