Skip to content
Carmelics
TopicsThinkersChangesContributorsLoading account…

    Carmelics

    A reasoning platform. Break down any belief into clear reasons, explore both sides, and weigh the evidence honestly.

    Navigate

    • Topics
    • Search
    • Recent Changes
    • Contribute
    • How It Works
    • Glossary
    • Thinkers
    • Contributors
    • About
    • Statistics
    • Terms
    • Privacy

    Database

    Statements
    —
    Perspectives
    —
    Topics
    —

    Press ? for keyboard shortcuts

    LoyalLoyalJusticeJustice
    Made withinDC&Austin
    Statements
    321,452
    Perspectives
    108,905
    Topics
    42
    Home/Original/inverse
    See Original
    Inverse View

    It is not the case that Benacerraf's epistemological challenge shows that if abstract objects lack causal power, we cannot have reliable knowledge of them.

    ?Set your confidence on the premises below to see your aggregate.

    Reasons For

    1 perspective
    Reason for
    ?
    • 1.Some reliable knowledge (like logical truths) requires no causal contact, only rational justification.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.Causal theories of knowledge fail for self-knowledge and mathematical deduction, yet these seem reliably knowable.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.Abstract objects may be knowable through structural correspondence with physical systems without direct causation.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
    ?
    • 1.Knowledge requires causal contact between knower and known object to explain reliable belief formation.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.Abstract objects cannot causally interact with physical brains, so beliefs about them lack causal explanation.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.Without causal explanation for our beliefs, we cannot distinguish reliable knowledge from lucky guessing.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Next step

    Based on where you are in your exploration

    Strongest counterpoint
    Explore the most compelling reason on the other side.