Contextualism and Warranted Assertion

Abstract

Contextualists offer "high-low standards" practical cases to show that a variety of knowledge standards are in play in different ordinary contexts. These cases show nothing of the sort, I maintain. However Keith DeRose gives an ingenious argument that standards for knowledge do go up in high-stakes cases. According to the knowledge account of assertion (Kn), only knowledge warrants assertion. Kn combined with the context sensitivity of assertability yields contextualism about knowledge.

The Norms of Assertion

“…It's often funny, but annoying. We can say, following Jim Stone (2007), that it would not be a wholly adequate response. 9 Continuing with our example, suppose that Mary answers, "4 p.m." Challenges such as C6 being appropriate by default in most circumstances, suppose that James then follows up with, "How do you know?"…”

“…While it may be playful or funny, in a number of circumstances it would be an uncooperative inadequate response to the prompt (2010b, p. 4). One could also invoke Gricean 9 Stone (2007) proposes a principle for the interpretation of a question is to determine what a "wholly satisfactory answer would be" (p. 97).…”

“…The phrasing is borrowed fromStone (2007).10.1057/9781137521729 -The Norms of Assertion, Rachel McKinnonCopyright material from www.palgraveconnect.com -licensed to University of Alberta -PalgraveConnect -2015-08-03…”

Assertion, uniqueness and epistemic hypocrisy

“…Cf.Brown (2010, p. 145) for a more detailed discussion of the licensing view, and its connection to epistemic norms of assertion. 25 I want to briefly comment on the connection between EIN and a related epistemic norm that has been defended by JimStone (2007) and which also links epistemically appropriate assertion with action. On…”

How Do You Know That ‘How Do You Know?’ Challenges a Speaker's Knowledge?

“…1 1 For example; see Hawthorne, 2004; Kvanvig, 2009; Lackey, 2007; Rescorla, 2009; Stanley, 2008; Stone, 2007; Turri, 2010a and 2010b; Unger, 1975; Weiner, 2005; and Williamson, 2000, among others. …”