“Might” Plays a Role in the Skeptic’s Argument for Stating the Problem

em“Might” Plays a Role in the Skeptic’s Argument for Stating the Probl

Merriam Webster defines might as an auxiliary function to express permission, liberty or probability. The word might is conditional for a statement or reality to be true or false. Might can represent any probability, but in ordinary conversation, we think that it is 50% either way. If the conditions that we seek are met, then the probability of the statement or reality lends to truth or rightness. After the statements meet the criteria of truth, we are closer to knowledge if we believe it. The skeptic rejects the standard view (TAK) and asserts that (1) we know nothing, (2) a concept conflicts with common sense and (3), certain claims to knowledge i.e., a part of the standard view, should not be included. Skeptics would reject the premise that “faith, related to the Scriptures, might be a source of knowledge”. There is no way to justify the claim even if we believe that it is true.

Getter’s externalist approach to knowledge might accept this premise as true, believing that the TAK is too stiff and that we have not gone far enough. The difficult part of the analysis is to acknowledge the four non-evidentialist factors: reliability (perception, which we do not have to know), causality, truth tracking (something has to follow) and proper functioning. With so much religious history in the world informing all beings, skeptics might not be able to discount the probability that knowledge is found in religious documents and supported by faith. If skepticism is a theory of knowledge, challenging the TAK, it is rational to think that one does have knowledge, before we even analyze the TAK. By skepticism’s own reasoning, it is not common sense, and more important irrational, to suggest that to begin to have knowledge, one must start by not knowing anything. The skeptics know that there is a need to analyze the TAK.

If the goal of epistemology is knowledge, understanding and wisdom, then the skeptics’ view might be dismantled with this premise because there are no universal proofs for understanding or wisdom. “Might” gives us possibilities and the ability to reject the three skeptical positions of knowledge that are mentioned in the first paragraph. African-American slaves used both faith and hope as knowledge to survive. This is quite an awesome notion, but indeed, there is evidence that it worked supplying the skeptics with proper functioning. Christians have been living with the following Scriptures for centuries,” For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding”, Proverbs 2:5. “Wisdom is the principle thing, therefore get wisdom and with all thy getting, get understanding”, Proverbs 4:7. Finally, the apostle Paul says, “we are justified by faith”, Romans 5:1 and “faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen”, Hebrews 11:1. Skepticism and faith are dual in the sense that they are on opposite sides of belief, but not Cartesian dualism because both are mental. It is common sense that if there are skeptics, there are believers. Therefore, the skeptic’s view of knowledge, making common sense, has to be accepted. The skeptics’ view of knowing nothing has to also be rejected. Might leaves the possibility for the future possibility of knowledge. Since the Scriptures is a closed document, the possibility of further interpretation might lead to the securing of the elements needed for knowledge and faith is a part of the human spirit that will always remain.