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Bochenek, Nicholas Accepted Thesis 4-13-20 Sp 20.pdf (329.5 KB)
ETD Abstract Container
Abstract Header
Knowing in the Face of Power
Author Info
Bochenek, Nicholas S.
Permalink:
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1587379793812042
Abstract Details
Year and Degree
2020, Master of Arts (MA), Ohio University, Philosophy (Arts and Sciences).
Abstract
This paper attempts to answer a theoretical question: How can ordinary people reliably gain knowledge from an epistemic system—a social system designed to have knowledge—whose interests may not align with theirs? I begin by constructing a model in which ordinary people attempt to gain knowledge from an epistemic system. I argue that people can gain knowledge from an epistemic system, but this possibility depends on the level of trust people have in the epistemic system. I then modify the model to represent the epistemic relationship between ordinary people and epistemic systems in a minimally-democratic society. I argue that a democratic society requires that its citizens be able to access knowledge within public epistemic systems, insofar as that knowledge is necessary for informed, critical thinking about important public matters. I conclude by pointing out how distrust between epistemic systems can prevent the required distribution of knowledge to ordinary people.
Committee
Yoichi Ishida (Advisor)
Christoph Hanisch (Committee Member)
Jeremy Morris (Committee Member)
Pages
34 p.
Subject Headings
Epistemology
;
Philosophy
Keywords
Philosophy
;
Epistemology
;
Social Epistemology
;
Political Philosophy
;
Democracy
;
Testimony
;
Assurance
;
Expert
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Citations
Bochenek, N. S. (2020).
Knowing in the Face of Power
[Master's thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1587379793812042
APA Style (7th edition)
Bochenek, Nicholas.
Knowing in the Face of Power.
2020. Ohio University, Master's thesis.
OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center
, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1587379793812042.
MLA Style (8th edition)
Bochenek, Nicholas. "Knowing in the Face of Power." Master's thesis, Ohio University, 2020. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1587379793812042
Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)
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Document number:
ohiou1587379793812042
Download Count:
154
Copyright Info
© 2020, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.