Putting the horse before the cart: a pragmatist analysis of knowledge

Abstract

ABSTRACT:The defi nition of knowledge as justifi ed true belief is the best we presently have. However, the canonical tripartite analysis of knowledge does not do justice to it due to a Platonic conception of a priori truth that puts the cart before the horse. Within a pragmatic approach, I argue that by doing away with a priori truth, namely by submitting truth to justifi cation, and by accordingly altering the canonical analysis of knowledge, this is a fruitful defi nition. So fruitful indeed that it renders the Gettier counterexamples vacuous, allowing positive work in epistemology and related disciplines.