Single Idea 20223

[catalogued under 11. Knowledge Aims / A. Knowledge / 2. Understanding]

Full Idea

The present obsession with justification and the neglect of understanding has resulted in a feature of epistemology already criticised by several epistemologists: its atomism.

Gist of Idea

Epistemology is excessively atomic, by focusing on justification instead of understanding

Source

Linda Trinkaus Zagzebski (Virtues of the Mind [1996], III 2.2)

Book Reference

Zagzebski,Linda: 'Virtues of the Mind' [CUP 1996], p.274


A Reaction

All analytic philosophy has become excessively atomic, because it relies too heavily on logic for its grounding and rigour. There are other sorts of rigour, such as AI, peer review, programming. Or rigour is an idle dream.

Related Idea

Idea 22 Trained minds never expect more precision than is possible [Aristotle]