Edmund Gettier

Early Life and Education

Edmund Gettier was born on October 31, 1927, in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. He pursued his undergraduate studies at Johns Hopkins University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy. He continued his academic journey at Cornell University, obtaining a Ph.D. in philosophy in 1961. His doctoral dissertation focused on the works of Bertrand Russell and Ludwig Wittgenstein, two prominent figures in analytic philosophy.

Academic Career

Gettier's academic career began at Wayne State University, where he served as a professor of philosophy from 1957 to 1967. During this period, he published his seminal paper, "Is Justified True Belief Knowledge?" in 1963. This paper, though only three pages long, had a profound impact on the field of epistemology and sparked extensive debate and further research.

In 1967, Gettier joined the faculty at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he continued to teach and conduct research until his retirement. Throughout his career, Gettier was known for his modesty and reluctance to publish extensively, focusing instead on teaching and mentoring students.

The Gettier Problem

Background

Before Gettier's paper, the traditional definition of knowledge, known as the tripartite theory of knowledge, was widely accepted. According to this theory, knowledge is justified true belief. In other words, for someone to know a proposition, three conditions must be met: the proposition must be true, the person must believe the proposition, and the person must have justification for the belief.

Gettier's Challenge

Gettier challenged this definition by presenting two counterexamples, now famously known as gettier cases. These cases demonstrated that it is possible to have justified true belief without having knowledge. In his first example, Gettier described a situation where a person, Smith, has strong evidence for a belief that "Jones will get the job, and Jones has ten coins in his pocket." From this, Smith infers the proposition, "The person who will get the job has ten coins in his pocket." However, unbeknownst to Smith, he himself will get the job, and he also has ten coins in his pocket. Thus, Smith's belief is true and justified, but it is based on a false premise, leading to the conclusion that justified true belief is not sufficient for knowledge.

Impact on Epistemology

Gettier's paper led to a significant reevaluation of the concept of knowledge within epistemology. Philosophers began to explore alternative definitions and conditions for knowledge, such as the no false lemmas condition, the reliabilist approach, and the causal theory of knowledge. These theories aimed to address the shortcomings highlighted by Gettier's counterexamples.

Subsequent Developments

No False Lemmas Condition

One response to the Gettier problem is the no false lemmas condition, which adds a fourth requirement to the tripartite theory of knowledge. According to this condition, for a belief to constitute knowledge, it must not be based on any false premises or lemmas. This approach attempts to eliminate cases where justified true belief is derived from false information.

Reliabilism

Another significant response is reliabilism, which shifts the focus from the justification of beliefs to the reliability of the processes that produce them. According to reliabilism, a belief counts as knowledge if it is produced by a reliable cognitive process. This theory emphasizes the importance of the methods used to acquire beliefs rather than the justification for the beliefs themselves.

Virtue Epistemology

Virtue epistemology is another approach that emerged in response to the Gettier problem. This theory emphasizes the role of intellectual virtues, such as open-mindedness, intellectual courage, and intellectual humility, in the acquisition of knowledge. According to virtue epistemologists, knowledge is a true belief that results from the exercise of intellectual virtues.

Philosophical Legacy

Edmund Gettier's contribution to epistemology extends beyond his famous paper. His work has inspired a vast body of literature and ongoing debates in the field. The Gettier problem remains a central topic in contemporary epistemology, and philosophers continue to explore new solutions and theories to address the challenges it presents.

Gettier's modesty and reluctance to publish extensively have led to a certain mystique surrounding his work. Despite his limited publication record, his impact on the field of epistemology is undeniable. His paper "Is Justified True Belief Knowledge?" is considered one of the most important and influential works in 20th-century philosophy.

Personal Life and Legacy

Edmund Gettier was known for his humility and dedication to teaching. He preferred to focus on his students and colleagues rather than seeking personal recognition. His influence on the field of epistemology is reflected in the numerous discussions and debates his work has generated.

Gettier passed away on March 23, 2021, leaving behind a legacy of intellectual rigor and philosophical inquiry. His work continues to inspire and challenge philosophers, ensuring that his contributions to the field of epistemology will be remembered for generations to come.

A distinguished elderly man with glasses, dressed in academic attire, standing in front of a bookshelf filled with philosophical texts.

A distinguished elderly man with glasses, dressed in academic attire, standing in front of a bookshelf filled with philosophical texts.

See Also

• Epistemology
• Analytic Philosophy
• Tripartite Theory of Knowledge
• Reliabilism
• Virtue Epistemology