Cognitations EP #13 | Knowledge, Communication & Curiosity | Jennifer Nagel
18 snips
Feb 28, 2025 
Jennifer Nagel, a philosophy professor at the University of Toronto, dives into the intricate relationship between knowledge, communication, and curiosity. She explores how our understanding of knowledge shapes social interactions and the importance of context in conversations. Nagel discusses the nuances of justified true belief, critiques traditional epistemological views, and highlights how language reflects our certainty. The podcast also touches on the role of self-reflection in knowledge sharing and the significance of genuine dialogue in effective communication.
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A Messy Journey to Philosophy
- Jennifer Nagel's academic journey was non-linear, starting with diverse interests like logic, literature, and math.
- After a stint in the corporate world, she returned to academia, pursuing philosophy despite initial resistance to its orthodoxies.
The Problem with Contextualism
- Contextualism, a theory about knowledge, suggests that the word "know" changes meaning depending on the conversation.
- Nagel finds this unsatisfying and argues for a more stable definition of knowledge.
Intuitions and Knowledge
- Contextualism struggles to predict how people use "know" and relies on an unexplained concept called "strength of epistemic position".
- Nagel suggests viewing intuitions about knowledge as potentially flawed, like perceptual illusions.
