ATLAS OF LANGUAGE

AT-NAV-G05-044 · ATLAS 259

Knowledge

Knowledge is considered here primarily as propositional knowledge, or knowing that.

Part of the subject path Philosophy of Language, Thought and Knowledge

Why is this entry in the Atlas?

G · Foundational concept R2 · Necessary foundation

Knowledge requires inquiry into truth, justification and reliable epistemic access. Expressions of certainty can indicate a speaker’s stance without establishing that the speaker knows.

Colours and admission grounds

The rectangular label identifies the entry function: F – linguistic figure or procedure; A – analytical concept; G – foundational concept; E – selected concrete case. The rounded badge indicates the admission ground: R1 – distinctive contribution; R2 – necessary foundation; R3 – justified illustrative case. This editorial rationale explains the current selection rather than claiming an undocumented original selection history.

Explanation

Knowledge is considered here primarily as propositional knowledge, or knowing that. The issue is not merely whether someone has a true belief, but how that belief reaches the truth and which epistemic conditions are met. The traditional analysis in terms of truth, belief and justification is an important starting point, not an uncontroversial final definition in light of Gettier problems. Knowing how and knowledge by acquaintance require further distinctions. The entry therefore exposes the relevant questions without reducing competing epistemological theories to one formula.

Movement of thought

1. Specify the knowledge claim. 2. Separate truth from belief. 3. Examine reasons. 4. Test the role of luck. 5. Identify the kind of knowledge.

Scientific use case

Epistemology can use counterexamples to test the conditions of proposed analyses of knowledge.

Example

Someone unknowingly reads a stopped clock exactly when it happens to be correct; a true belief and reliable cognition come apart.

Counterexample

Strong subjective certainty alone does not justify attributing knowledge.

Distinction

Distinguish knowledge from a lucky true guess, certainty, information and an unqualified justified-true-belief definition.

Effect on thought and perception

The concept connects correctness with the route by which it is reached.

Resonance

Being right is an outcome; knowledge also concerns the route there.

Provenance

Parallel corpus 98f0950771ae4662f291d2f15f5c51b6797f3c20ba458a68615cdb177002ea18; case-bounded source review accepted; human specialist review not claimed.

Cite this entry

Reich, Michael (Hrsg./ed.): „Knowledge“. Atlas der Sprache, AT-NAV-G05-044. ATLAS 259, data model 1.6.0. https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-NAV-G05-044

https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-NAV-G05-044

The address remains stable; editorial content may evolve. Editorial reading state: 2026-10-15. Include your access date for precise references.