40.8k views
2 votes
True or false: We should never be uncertain about the validity of our arguments

User Kayne
by
7.7k points

1 Answer

3 votes

Final answer:

The concept of never being uncertain about the validity of our arguments is at odds with the principles of epistemology, which recognizes doubt and uncertainty as intrinsic parts of human knowledge and justification. Philosophical skepticism and the fallibilist perspective both imply that certainty is not always necessary for knowledge. The acceptance of non-absolute probabilities in hypothesis testing further supports the idea that we can be justified in our beliefs without being entirely certain.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question of whether we should never be uncertain about the validity of our arguments is complex and heavily debated within the field of epistemology, a branch of philosophy concerned with knowledge, belief, and justification.

The assertion that one should always be certain of their arguments contrasts with the recognition that doubt is inherent in the human condition.

Philosophical skepticism presents the notion that absolute certainty is often unattainable, given that evidential support can vary and knowledge claims require justification that does not always reach the bar of certainty.

Furthermore, arguments have been made to counter the requirement of certainty for knowledge. For instance, through the counterexample method, it's shown that one may possess knowledge even without complete certainty, as long as the belief is true, and there is sufficient reason to believe it, aligning with the fallibilist perspective.

As such, it is generally accepted in philosophy that we can hold justified beliefs despite being uncertain, and that searching for absolute certainty may be an unrealistic standard for knowledge.

Problems with arguments often arise from false or questionable premises, irrelevance, or circular reasoning, demonstrating that infallibility in argumentation is not synonymous with truth.

This falls in line with the principle that hypothesis testing is never about absolute certainties, but rather about non-absolute probabilities, reflecting a fundamental acceptance of uncertainty in the process of justification and knowledge acquisition.

User Stephan Steiner
by
7.1k points