A Causal Theory of Knowing

"A Causal Theory of Knowing" is a philosophical essay written by <a href="/facts/Alvin_Goldman/f0RVpjLq">Alvin Goldman</a> in 1967, published in <a href="/facts/The_Journal_of_Philosophy/5tTjMcu2">The Journal of Philosophy</a>. It is based on existing theories of knowledge in the realm of <a href="/facts/Epistemology/NsDwpcYH">epistemology</a>, the study of philosophy through the scope of knowledge. The essay attempts to define knowledge by connecting facts, beliefs and knowledge through underlying and connective series called causal chains. It provides a causal theory of knowledge.
A <a href="/facts/Causal_chain/mp4v9KYo">causal chain</a> is repeatedly described as a sequence of events for which one event in a chain causes the next. According to Goldman, these chains can only exist with the presence of an accepted fact, a belief in the fact, and a cause for the subject to believe the fact. The essay also explores the ideas of perception and memory through the use of the causal chains and the concept of knowledge.

A Causal Theory of Knowing open-in-new

A Causal Theory of Knowing