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Clifford’s theory of knowledge
Clifford provides an argument against those who believe in judgment, using insufficient evidence. The essay by Clifford focuses on two things. These include stories and principles. The story involves a ship owner who was inclined to sell tickets to people moving through the transatlantic voyage. According to the essay, Clifford believes that people need to have sufficient evidence before they make a judgment.
In this regard, people need to make a thorough research and have objective evidence, before making a conclusion about a given subject. He feels that it is wrong for individuals to believe what they are told without referring to reliable and unbiased information. According to his theory of knowledge, Clifford thinks that people need to research first, before rushing or jumping into conclusions. This can help them gather enough evidence, to guide their judgment. In reference to this theory, when one believes on the availability of insufficient evidence, he/she keeps those superstitions alive. Clifford feels that failure to follow the evidence presented by an individual, end up tearing the society apart.
For instance, he gives a story of a ship owner, who gave tickets to people without having sufficient evidence that the ship was not worth of sea travel. Clifford’s theory makes people believe that the ship owner was guilty, regardless of whether the ship did, or did not get an accident. This is because he made his judgment, based on insufficient evidence (Clifford and Madigan 3).
Although Clifford’s theory of knowledge is educative, it has some merits. Some philosophers criticize the theory in many ways. For instance, they argue that it can only be acceptable if it is needed in the opinion of having sufficient evidence. Clifford’s theory of knowledge does not focus on when a person feels not to act.
His thesis revolves around the time a person needs to believe in something. In this regard, he suggests that the ability to differentiate a belief and an action provides the required evidence to escape an objection of his claim. He claims that having sufficient evidence is the only determinant of whether one does right or wrong (Clifford and Madigan 6). This is the reason why Clifford states that the ship owner should be condemned on the basis of making a judgment without sufficient evidence (Clifford and Madigan 7)
James’s theory of knowledge
In his pragmatism, James sees the truth in terms of usefulness and acceptance (James 2). By saying this, he denies that characteristics of truth can be applied to the concepts in his theory. His analysis provides a suggestion that there are others concepts, rather than correctness that explain the truth. In the essay, the selection of expression provides a clue on the description of knowledge. In addition, his use of language also vividly describes an individual’s knowledge. In addition, the use of hypothesis to analyze his pragmatic truth shows compatibility. The hypothesis does not only clarify his analyses, but also makes his claim to be stronger than the way people think. In addition, it also stands to be more compatible and more reflective (James 3).
James’ theory of knowledge presents a superficial concept that was traditionally evaluated by the theory of truth. James starts by admitting that truth is an agreement. In addition, the agreement must be a reality. He further claims that truth is a property that connects people with ideas. While using the concept of correctness, James uses the term truth on many occasions. For this reason, it becomes difficult to know the evidence put across. This arises when there are difficulties in the two terms, and their derivatives seem to be directed to a given concept (James 4).
The best theory
Among the two theories, the best one is James theory of knowledge. Clifford’s theory claims that beliefs, which are associated with right or wrong, present a strong argument. In his argument, a person does not need to go into a detailed discussion, in order to understand something. He only says that behavior is immoral if it has bad effects to people. In this regard, Clifford believes that it is immoral to believe in insufficient evidence. In addition, the claim, provided by Clifford is simple and general. This is because of the use of terms such as “always” and “everywhere,” to show how long it is for a person to believe in insufficient evidences.
However, if one judges the morality in the context of Clifford’s theory, it appears that the theory is incorrect. This is because it is immoral to have optimistic beliefs in circumstances that can hurt other people. On the other hand, James’s theory of knowledge holds that truth must have practical consequences. In he claims, there is no truth between two points if there is no difference between them (James, 3). James’ theory of knowledge is more logical than Clifford’s theory of knowledge.
Works Cited
Clifford, William K, and Timothy J. Madigan. The Ethics of Belief: And Other Essays. New York: Prometheus books, 1999. Print.
James, William. The Will to Believe, and Other Essays in Popular Philosophy. New York: Dover Publications, 1956. Print.
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