Why Knowledge is Special. (18th January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ryan, Shane
• Is Part Of: Philosophy. Volume 92:Number 2(2017)
• Page Start: 249
• Page End: 269
• Publication Date: 2017-01-18
• Subjects: Philosophy -- Periodicals; 100
• DOI: 10.1017/S0031819116000668
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0031-8191

Abstract

Abstract: I argue against Greco's account of the value of knowledge, according to which knowledge is distinctively valuable vis-à-vis that which falls short of knowledge in virtue of its status as an achievement and achievements being finally valuable. Instead, I make the case that virtuous belief is also an achievement. I argue that the nature of knowledge is such that knowledge is finally valuable in a way that virtuous belief is not, precisely because knowledge is not simply a success from ability. The value of knowledge lies in the positive responsiveness of the world to an agent's epistemic virtuousness.