Knowing What Things Are: A Response to My Critics
Abstract In this response to my commentators, I address several challenges to the erotetic account of knowing what things are, developed in Knowing What Things Are: An Inquiry-Based Approach. I clarify how my view handles complex webs of inquiry, contextual variation in answers, and normative dimens...
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| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Universidade Estadual de Campinas
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Manuscrito |
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| Online Access: | http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0100-60452025000200406&lng=en&tlng=en |
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| Summary: | Abstract In this response to my commentators, I address several challenges to the erotetic account of knowing what things are, developed in Knowing What Things Are: An Inquiry-Based Approach. I clarify how my view handles complex webs of inquiry, contextual variation in answers, and normative dimensions of questions involving social kinds. Drawing on cases such as “What is a gene?” and “What is marriage?”, I explore how different epistemic and practical goals shape what counts as a good answer to “What is x?” questions. I also respond to worries about over- and under-generation of knowledge attributions, and the possibility of non-propositional knowledge. Finally, I consider the implications of my contextualism for truth, content, and fictional discourse, and suggest refinements to the original framework to better accommodate issues raised by my critics. |
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| ISSN: | 2317-630X |