Certitude and Scepticism as Complementary in the Search for Knowledge

Idjakpo Onos Godwın

Certitude and Scepticism as Complementary in the Search for Knowledge

Abstract

This paper proposes that the demand for certainty and the continual raising of the doubts (skepticism) about our epistemic claims be seen and considered as efforts toward the same direction, namely, to attain knowledge. This has become necessary as the debate between certitude and scepticism in traditional western epistemology attends to the concept of certitude and skepticism as if they are exclusive and contradictory. This has left the revolving discussion in an endless debate The search for certitude in our knowledge claims is to ensure that we have justification for our claims to knowledge and the skeptical considerations that over shadow our knowledge claims are equally demands that we have justification for our knowledge claims so that we do not treat mistaken opinions or lucky or educated guess as knowledge. The African theory of knowledge, which is built on African ontology that treats the divide between the object and subject as two aspects of the same reality, encourages this proposal. As such, this paper analyses and evaluates the debate between certitude and skepticism as we have it in traditional western and African epistemology, thus providing the grounds on which the proposal to consider certitude and skepticism as complementary in the search for knowledge.

Keywords

Certitude,Scepticism,African Epistemology,True knowledge,Reality

References

Achebe, C., “Chi in Igbo Cosmology” in C. Eze (ed.) (1988), African Philosophy: An Anthology Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishers.
Aigbodioh J.A., (1997), “Imperatives of Human Knowledge Illustrated with EpistemologicalConceptions in African Thought” in Ibadan Journal of Humanistic Studies, No.7 Oct, 1997.
Anyanwu K. C., (1983) The African Experience in American Market Place. New York: Exposition Press.
Ayer, A. J. (1956), The Problem of Knowledge, London: Macmillan
Bewaji, J. A. (2007) An Introduction to the Theory of Knowledge, Ibadan: Hope Publications.
Brown, L. M., (2004), “Understanding and Ontology in Traditional African Thought” in Lee M. Brown, ed. (2004), African Philosophy: New and Traditional Perspectives, New York: Oxford University Press.
Cardinal, D.; Hayward, J.; & Jones, G. (2004). Epistemology: The Theory of Knowledge, London: John Murray Publishers Ltd.,
Clarke, M., (1963), “Knowledge and Grounds: A Comment on Mr. Gettier’s Paper” in Analysis.

Dancy, J., (1985), An Introduction to Contemporary Epistemology, New York: Basil Blackwell Ltd.
Ekanola, A. B., (2006), “Metaphysical Issues in African Philosophy” in Oladipo O. (ed.) Core Issues in African Philosophy, Ibadan: Hope Publications.
Gbadegesin, O., (1984), “Destiny, Personality and Ultimate Reality of Human Existence: A Yoruba Perspective” in Ultimate Reality and Meaning, vol. 7, no. 3.
Gyekye, K. (1987). An Essay on African Philosophical Thought: The Akan Conceptual Scheme. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Jimoh, A., (1999), “A Critique of Rorty’s Epistemological Behaviourism” , MA Thesis submitted to the Department of Philosophy, Ambrose Alli University, March 1999.
Moser, P. K.; and Vander-Nat, A., (1987). Human Knowledge: Classical and Contemporary Approaches. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Onyewuenyi, I. (1993), African Origin of Greek Philosophy: An Exercise in Afrocentrism, Nsukka: UNN Dept. of Philosophy,
Owolabi, K., (2000), “The Nature and Problems of Epistemology” in K. Owolabi, Issues and Problems in Philosophy, Ibadan: GROVACS.
Pollock, J. L., (1986), Contemporary Theories of Knowledge, Maryland: Rowan and Littlefield Publishers.
Rorty, R., (1979) Philosophy and the Mirror of Nature, New Jersey: Princeton University Press,
Ruch, E. A.; and Anyanwu, K. C., (1984), African Philosophy: An Introduction to the Main Philosophical Trends in Contemporary Africa, Rome: Catholic Book Agency – Officium Libri Catholicum,
Slote, M. A., (1970), Reason and Scepticism, London: Allen and Unwin Ltd.
Udefi, A., (2005), “Theoretical Foundations for An African Epistemology” in R. Akanmidu, (ed.) Footprints in Philosophy, Ibadan: Hope Publications.
Uduigwomen, A. F. (ed.) (1995). Footmarks on African Philosophy. Lagos: Obaroh and Ogbinaka Publishers Ltd.
Wittgenstein, L., (1969), On Certainty, trans. By Denis Paul and G. E. M. Anscombed, Oxford: Basil Blackwell’s.

Details

Primary Language

Turkish

Subjects

-

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Idjakpo Onos Godwın This is me
Department of Philosophy, Ambrose Alli University
Nigeria

Publication Date

April 15, 2012

Submission Date

February 16, 2017

Acceptance Date

-

Published in Issue

Year 2012 Number: 18

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA27BZ42MB

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Godwın, I. O. (2012). Certitude and Scepticism as Complementary in the Search for Knowledge. Kaygı. Bursa Uludağ Üniversitesi Fen-Edebiyat Fakültesi Felsefe Dergisi, 18, 81-92. https://izlik.org/JA27BZ42MB

AMA

1.Godwın IO. Certitude and Scepticism as Complementary in the Search for Knowledge. Kaygı. 2012;(18):81-92. https://izlik.org/JA27BZ42MB

Chicago

Godwın, Idjakpo Onos. 2012. “Certitude and Scepticism As Complementary in the Search for Knowledge”. Kaygı. Bursa Uludağ Üniversitesi Fen-Edebiyat Fakültesi Felsefe Dergisi, nos. 18: 81-92. https://izlik.org/JA27BZ42MB.

EndNote

Godwın IO (April 1, 2012) Certitude and Scepticism as Complementary in the Search for Knowledge. Kaygı. Bursa Uludağ Üniversitesi Fen-Edebiyat Fakültesi Felsefe Dergisi 18 81–92.

IEEE

[1]I. O. Godwın, “Certitude and Scepticism as Complementary in the Search for Knowledge”, Kaygı, no. 18, pp. 81–92, Apr. 2012, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA27BZ42MB

ISNAD

Godwın, Idjakpo Onos. “Certitude and Scepticism As Complementary in the Search for Knowledge”. Kaygı. Bursa Uludağ Üniversitesi Fen-Edebiyat Fakültesi Felsefe Dergisi. 18 (April 1, 2012): 81-92. https://izlik.org/JA27BZ42MB.

JAMA

1.Godwın IO. Certitude and Scepticism as Complementary in the Search for Knowledge. Kaygı. 2012;:81–92.

MLA

Godwın, Idjakpo Onos. “Certitude and Scepticism As Complementary in the Search for Knowledge”. Kaygı. Bursa Uludağ Üniversitesi Fen-Edebiyat Fakültesi Felsefe Dergisi, no. 18, Apr. 2012, pp. 81-92, https://izlik.org/JA27BZ42MB.

Vancouver

1.Idjakpo Onos Godwın. Certitude and Scepticism as Complementary in the Search for Knowledge. Kaygı [Internet]. 2012 Apr. 1;(18):81-92. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA27BZ42MB