presumption
A provisional epistemic stance that accepts a claim tentatively until sufficiently strong counterevidence arises, analogous to legal presumptions.
2 chapters across 1 book
Epistemology: An Introduction to the Theory of Knowledge (2003)Nicholas Rescher
Chapter 5 explores the epistemological concept of presumption, framing it as a provisional cognitive resource akin to legal presumptions such as 'innocent until proven guilty.' It distinguishes presumption from knowledge, probability, and assumption by emphasizing its role as a tentative gap-filler in the absence of conclusive evidence, guiding inquiry through practical rationality and situational endorsement. The chapter also discusses the relationship between presumption, plausibility, and burden of proof, highlighting presumption's defeasible and context-dependent nature.
This chapter explores the nature and challenges of propositional knowledge, focusing on whether knowledge can be defined as true justified belief. It examines foundational epistemological problems such as fallibilism, skepticism, epistemic justification, and the role of presumption and trust in knowledge acquisition and cooperation. The discussion integrates philosophical analysis with pragmatic and naturalistic perspectives, highlighting the economic and social dimensions of knowledge.