Donald Davidson’s article “Three Varieties of Knowledge” presents a nuanced exploration of the nature and interrelation of three distinct forms of knowledge: subjective, intersubjective, and objective. This philosophical treatise can be understood by diving into each category and examining their differences.
Subjective Knowledge
Subjective knowledge is the knowledge of one’s own mental states, such as beliefs, desires, and experiences. It is characterized by its first-person perspective. Davidson suggests that this type of knowledge is direct and immediate, in the sense that we have a unique access to our own mental states that others do not. For example, knowing that you are feeling happy or believing that it will rain tomorrow falls into this category. This knowledge is subjective because it is inherently tied to the individual’s perspective and cannot be directly accessed by others.
Intersubjective Knowledge
Intersubjective knowledge refers to the shared knowledge between individuals, grounded in communication and mutual understanding. It is the bridge between subjective and objective knowledge. This knowledge is about understanding others’ mental states and the world they inhabit. It is gained through social interactions, language, and empathy. Davidson emphasizes the importance of language in achieving intersubjective understanding, as it allows us to share our subjective experiences and understand those of others. For instance, when two people agree that a painting is beautiful, they are engaging in intersubjective knowledge.
Objective Knowledge
Objective knowledge is the knowledge of the external world, independent of any individual’s perspective or mental states. It is the type of knowledge that is most commonly associated with science and empirical inquiry. Objective knowledge seeks to describe and explain the world in a way that is universally valid and independent of individual perspectives. It involves observations, facts, and theories that are testable and verifiable by others. For example, the statement “water boils at 100°C at sea level” is an objective claim that can be tested and verified independently of any one person’s beliefs or experiences.
Why intersubjectivity and objectivity do not exist.
Bruno de Finetti, a pioneering figure in the development of subjective probability theory, approached the concept of knowledge through a probabilistic lens. He would likely define the three varieties of knowledge—subjective, intersubjective, and objective—not in absolute terms, but in terms of varying degrees of probability and convergence upon a probability estimation.
Subjective Knowledge and Probability
In de Finetti’s framework, subjective knowledge aligns with unknown or less certain probabilities with low convergence. This reflects his view that probability is a subjective measure of an individual’s degree of belief. For subjective knowledge, each individual has a unique probability assessment based on their personal experience and information. This probability is constantly updated as new information is acquired, a process akin to Bayesian updating. However, the convergence towards a common probability is low, since subjective knowledge is deeply personal and varies significantly from person to person. For example, two individuals might assign different probabilities to the same event based on their unique experiences and information.
Intersubjective Knowledge as a Common Probability
Intersubjective knowledge, in de Finetti’s terms, could be seen as a more common probability with a higher level of convergence. This form of knowledge emerges from social interactions and shared experiences. As individuals communicate and exchange information, their subjective probabilities begin to align, leading to a higher degree of convergence. This doesn’t mean they reach a complete agreement, but there is a notable movement towards a common probability estimate. Intersubjective knowledge, therefore, represents a collective Bayesian updating process, where shared experiences and dialogues help in refining and aligning individual probability assessments.
Objective Knowledge: High Probability with High Convergence
Objective knowledge, from a de Finettian perspective, would be characterized by high probability estimates with high convergence among different observers. This reflects a strong consensus or agreement on certain facts or theories, typically resulting from empirical evidence and scientific inquiry. In this realm, individual subjective probabilities converge closely as a result of shared empirical observations and robust evidential support. For instance, the probability assigned to well-established scientific facts would be high, with a high degree of convergence among different individuals, reflecting a strong consensus in the scientific community.
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