Epistemology: The Opinion on the Truth

Opinion is a state of the mind in which it decides for the truth of a judgment, but with fear of possibility of error. The best that the mind can attain with regard to the truth of its judgment is a certain amount of probability.

The reasons are good on both sides of the question; but the mind realizes that reasons for making the decision are weighty enough to justify adherence to one side of the question rather than to the other. The fear of error, however, hinders the mind from giving an unqualified assent to the judgment; there is still lack of certitude. Here is a case in point: Will the communists continue to rule for any great length of time in Russia? The fact that they have ruled many years is a good reason to assume that they will. But the fact that their rule is imposed by force and is fundamentally contrary to human nature, is apparently a better reason to suppose that it cannot last.

If I decide for the latter side of the question, I have an opinion that the communists will not continue to remain in power for any great length of time. Or, supposing all the evidence in a criminal case has been presented in court, and it is circumstantial and conflicting. I may weight this evidence and decide that the defendant is guilty, although I realize that there is good evidence against such a judgment: I have formed an opinion on the case.

Both in doubts and opinions there is lack of certitude. In doubts I can come to no decision, but in opinions I make a decision. in neither instance, though, can I overcome the fear of the possibility of error.

The mind is in a condition of hesitancy and uneasiness and remains in this attitude as long as a prudent fear of error lingers on. As soon as this fear of error is definitely overcome, hesitancy and uneasiness vanish and the min is at rest in a state of certitude.

Sidebar One

The validity or truth-value of human knowledge is the crucial problem in modern Philosophy. It has agitated the minds of philosophers for more than three centuries and the effects of their discussions are felt in every department of science. Naturally so, since it lies in the very nature of Epistemology to question the capability of man's mind to contact reality and to know what things are in themselves, the validity of all knowledge, and consequently also of science, is at stake. The foundations of human knowledge are challenged, examined, and frequently attacked. An acquaintance with this problem and its possible solution will be, therefore, a matter of prime importance for every seeker of truth and for every student of Philosophy.

This blog is intended for those who have no previous acquaintance with the subject. In accordance with this purpose, we have endeavored to place the problem in its proper historical setting, showing its origin and development, without confusing the issue with a large amount of historical detail. For the same reason, the subject (Epistemology) is treated in a constructive manner, seeking a positive solution of the Epistemological problem rather than giving an extensive criticism and refutation of the individual opposing systems of thought.

The language, so far as consistent with the matter under discussion, is plain and simple, avoiding what Hugh S. Elliot styles "sesquipedalian verbiage." Much of our modern philosophical jargon is so well-nigh incomprehensible as to make the underlying ideas opaque unintelligibility is not necessarily depth. Obscurities, of course, remain because the nature of knowledge itself is obscure; no amount of words will ever be able to clarify completely the mystery of the mind.

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Epistemology, Knowledge and the Truth