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Measurement & Analysis of the Temporal Discrimination Threshold Applied to Cervical Dystonia

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Are Gettier cases disturbing?

Peter Hawke^1,2, Tom Schoonen^1,2

¹Institute for Logic, Language, and Computation, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Philosophical Studies

|November 1, 2021

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

This study defends a nuanced approach to the method of cases (MoC) in philosophy. While challenging extreme skepticism, it preserves MoC

Keywords:

Experimental philosophy Gettier cases Methods of cases Moderate modal skepticism Naturalism Philosophical methodology Thought experiments

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Area of Science:

Philosophy of Science
Epistemology
Modal Epistemology

Background:

The method of cases (MoC) is a prominent tool in contemporary philosophy.
Disputes exist regarding the interpretation and reliability of MoC, particularly concerning Gettier cases.
Philosophers like Timothy Williamson and Edouard Machery offer contrasting views on MoC's scope and validity.

Purpose of the Study:

To critically evaluate Machery's pessimistic stance on the method of cases.
To defend an intermediate position between radical skepticism and uncritical acceptance of MoC.
To explore the implications of Gettier cases for modal epistemology.

Main Methods:

Internal critique of Machery's arguments against MoC.
Analysis of the characteristics of philosophical cases and their impact on judgments.
Development of a restricted variant of MoC consistent with fallibilist and non-exceptionalist approaches.

Main Results:

Machery's central argument for abandoning MoC is undermined by challenging his claims about 'disturbing characteristics' of philosophical cases.
Gettier cases do not necessarily invalidate the method of cases.
A restricted version of MoC is proposed, preserving some of its utility while acknowledging limitations.

Conclusions:

The method of cases remains a valuable philosophical tool, though its ambitious applications may need refinement.
Moderate modal skepticism can be accommodated without abandoning MoC entirely.
Philosophical inquiry using MoC can still yield substantive knowledge, albeit with potential constraints on establishing ambitious modal theses.