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Knowledge and the norm of assertion: a simple test

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Abstract

An impressive case has been built for the hypothesis that knowledge is the norm of assertion, otherwise known as the knowledge account of assertion. According to the knowledge account, you should assert something only if you know that it’s true. A wealth of observational data supports the knowledge account, and some recent empirical results lend further, indirect support. But the knowledge account has not yet been tested directly. This paper fills that gap by reporting the results of such a test. The knowledge account passes with flying colors.

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Acknowledgments

For helpful feedback, I thank Matt Benton, Wesley Buckwalter, David Rose, Angelo Turri, and two anonymous referees for Synthese. This research was supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and an Early Researcher Award from the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Innovation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Philosophy Department, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, N2L3G1, Canada

    John Turri

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  1. John Turri
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Correspondence to John Turri.

Appendix

Appendix

(Coffee) Mallory manages an independent coffee shop. One of her customers is interested in the history and culture of coffee. The customer asks Mallory whether the coffee is from Colombia. Mallory knows that/doesn’t know whether the coffee is from Colombia. [Test statement: Mallory should say that the coffee is from Colombia.]

(Avocado) Mallory manages the local farmer’s market. One of her employees is interested in improving the health of his diet. The employee asks Mallory whether avocados have vitamin K. Mallory knows that/doesn’t know whether avocados have vitamin K. [Test statement: Mallory should say that avocados have vitamin K.]

(Married) Mallory is an intelligence analyst at the agency. One of her colleagues is interested in profiling an informant named Ivan. The colleague asks Mallory whether Ivan has ever been married. Mallory knows that/doesn’t know whether Ivan has been married. [Test statement: Mallory should say that Ivan has been married.]

(Taxes) Mallory is a tax accountant at an insurance firm. One of her bosses is interested in decreasing the amount of taxes he pays. The boss asks Mallory whether he can deduct dental expenses. Mallory knows that/doesn’t know whether he can deduct dental expenses. [Test statement: Mallory should say that he can deduct dental expenses.]

(Comprehension question) Mallory _____ know the relevant information. (does / does not)

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Turri, J. Knowledge and the norm of assertion: a simple test. Synthese 192, 385–392 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11229-014-0573-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11229-014-0573-4

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