Thanks for the link Jim. I would disagree that my previous post implies that one must use 'knowledge' in a "quirky or loose way". As your link shows, there is a recognized position of irrational knowledge (irrational, of course, without any pejorative connotation). Although I'm not implying that the belief that 'God saved them' is necessarily irrational. However, I don't think that not being an empirical statement automatically invalidates a statement as being knowledge.
I also disagree that the assumption of empirical justification is the "more correct usage", rather it is the usage of term 'knowledge' in the empirical tradition. I agree that we do indeed (or at least should) " try to teach our students about how to substantiate beliefs (i.e., hypotheses) so that beliefs/speculations/hypotheses become sound knowledge about human behaviour?" But that is simply because we are teaching psychology. (I take exception, though, to the equating of beliefs with hypotheses-in-the-empirical-sense). Also, I don't think I implied that we should "...admit any strongly held belief as being "true knowledge," irrespective of its justification,..." to the field of psychology. If psychology is a science, then of course it must use the rational-empiricist view of knowledge. >"Of course, most people who do want to extend "truth" into a wider domain >usually are quite restrictive about what beliefs they want to admit as true." To me, this seems to be a swipe at any approach to knowledge that is not empiricist. Empiricism is only one approach to knowledge and it has its own problems and limitations. Of course all of this discussion of knowledge has very little to do with my original context which was that the "God saved them" statement is a statement of belief not an argument (despite the ensuing 'argument' which was at best tangential :-) ). --Mike --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: arch...@jab.org. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5&n=T&l=tips&o=5858 or send a blank email to leave-5858-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
