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Flip to reveal answersThe 'JTB' definition of knowledge?
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All 8 Flashcards — The Gettier problem
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Question
The 'JTB' definition of knowledge?
Answer
Knowledge = justified true belief: you believe it, it's true, and you have good reasons for it.
Question
What did Gettier show?
Answer
You can have a justified true belief that's true only by luck — so JTB isn't enough for knowledge.
Question
The stopped-clock case?
Answer
You read 3:00 off a reliable clock and it really is 3:00 — but the clock stopped 12 hours ago, so you're right only by luck.
Question
Why isn't the stopped clock knowledge?
Answer
All three JTB ingredients are there, but the truth came by luck, not because your reason tracked it.
Question
The 'missing ingredient' after Gettier?
Answer
Roughly 'no luck' / reliable reasons — you must reach the truth non-accidentally. But it's hard to define exactly.
Question
Belief, truth, justification — what does each add?
Answer
Belief: you think it's true. Truth: it really is. Justification: you have good reasons, not a lucky guess.
Question
Why is Gettier still a live problem (Go further)?
Answer
Every proposed fourth ingredient meets a new Gettier-style counter-case — after 60 years there's no agreed patch.
Question
The lasting lesson of Gettier?
Answer
Knowledge may not be captured by a tidy list of ingredients — right-by-luck keeps slipping through the recipe.
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Full study notes for The Gettier problem
Topic 3.2 hub
Problems of knowledge
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Philosophy exam skills
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