Knowledge is classified as justified true belief under specific conditions. Firstly, the claim must be proven with sufficient evidence. Justification is usually ensured when the information is coherent with previous data. The information must also be clear with respects to logic and language. Counter evidences and contradictions hinder information from being justified. Any claim must also be factual and harmonious with regards to actual occurrences. Conviction is the third facet that typifies knowledge as justified true belief. In this paper, I will use Rene Descartes’ views on justification to show that humans do not know they have two hands.
The truth condition supposes that what is false is unknowable. On the other hand, the belief condition states that people can only know what they believe. The justification condition poses that beliefs could be true even when they were formed without proper premises. Descartes is widely respected for his philosophical viewpoints on knowledge. He argued that conviction was possible since some doubts could not be discounted. Descartes claimed that knowledge was based on strong convictions that could not be refuted. People would consider something as truthful if they had firm convictions. Doubt was inversely related to certainty since Descartes discredited the assumption of indubitability. In this regard, it was impossible for certain facts to be confirmed beyond reasonable doubt.
Descartes’ view of justification had a uniquely epistemic character. Rational insight was necessary during periods of uncertainty. It would be contradictory to deny propositions of which someone was convinced. Descartes argue that an individual had to have convictions that were unshakably certain rather than truthful. Furthermore, he developed criteria that could be used to establish truths. The philosopher considered knowledge as advancing form of truth. Proposition could be regarded as just if they were perceived with sufficient certainty. Other philosophers regarded truth as a precondition for knowledge. On the other hand, Descartes theorized that knowledge resulted in truth.
The philosopher’s method of doubt was motivated by the fact that many of his beliefs were later proved false. Descartes wanted to develop a firm foundation for his opinions and beliefs. It was necessary to support truths that could not be disproved beyond reasonable doubt. Descartes’ method of doubt assumes that all of a person’s beliefs are false. In this regard, someone must find undoubtable facts that serve as basis for other beliefs. Descartes emphasized the method of doubt by questioning his senses. He was also skeptical about the existence of both the physical world and an evil genius.
The dream argument supposes that the physical world was imaginary. In many cases, dreams were quite vivid and intense. It was quite difficult for a dreaming person to believe that he or she was unconscious. Some people may even talk or walk while seemingly asleep. On the other hand, the physical world seems real and tangible. Descartes theorized that everything in his life was imaginary. The sounds and colors in dreams appear real while people can have conversations with one another. Mental training seems to override rational thought, especially with mathematical concepts.
Descartes would say that a person was unaware that he or she had two hands. This is because people were normally oblivious to their surroundings. It was hard to picture another person with hands while dreaming. Human interactions occurred without specific focus on a person’s hands. Hence, the standards that were applied to dreams were also relatable to the physical world. Conditions in the dream world were similar to those in the physical world. Hands were quite crucial since they enabled humans to grab items and perform numerous tasks. However, some humans had lived without arms due to amputation or deformity. It was not impossible for such people to derive happiness from life. Consequently, a person could never rightly say that he or she had two hands.
Descartes argued that truths were established in cases where doubts existed. In this regard, it was impossible to know anything beyond reasonable doubt. Knowledge was classified as facts supported by strong convictions. Most humans were convinced that they had two hands. Simple mathematics enabled people to count the number of hands on their body. Hands were also defined as limbs located in the upper body. Strangers would often shake hands upon meeting with one another. Such actions would be impossible if people did not have two hands. Descartes view of justification proves that an individual did not know whether he or she had two hands. Such a claim could not be characterized as truth since it was established beyond any doubt. According to Descartes, someone could only know he or she has two hands if such a thought was in doubt.
Indeed, Descartes’ viewpoints can be used to show that people are unaware of their hands. The philosopher’s view of justification was based on doubt rather than certainty. In this respect, facts could be established if other doubts could not lessen the present stance. The majority of humans are convinced that they have two hands. Because such beliefs are based on unshakable convictions, they cannot be classified as knowledge.
