EP #13 | Knowledge, Communication & Curiosity | Jennifer Nagel
Feb 28, 2025
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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.
The podcast emphasizes that curiosity drives humans to seek knowledge, which plays a critical role in social interactions and communication.
Jennifer Nagel highlights the importance of contextualism, illustrating how the evaluation of knowledge is influenced by situational awareness and confidence.
Research discussed shows that children develop the capability to attribute knowledge before recognizing beliefs, which is vital for social learning and relationships.
Deep dives
The Nature of Cognitive Science
Cognitive science is an interdisciplinary field that combines various domains such as cognitive psychology, neuroscience, linguistics, philosophy, social sciences, and computer science to study the complexities of the mind. This podcast emphasizes the importance of understanding how knowledge shapes our social interactions, showcasing that humans are inherently curious and place great value on acquiring knowledge. The interplay between individual knowledge and shared understanding plays a significant role in communication, as we often rely on mutual comprehension in conversations. This shared knowledge enables more fluid interactions and highlights our social nature, as we often adapt our conversational demeanor based on what we perceive others know.
Jennifer Nagel's Academic Journey
Jennifer Nagel, a philosophy professor, discusses her unconventional academic path fueled by an innate curiosity for fundamental questions about knowledge. Her exploration began with diverse subjects during her undergraduate years, eventually leading her to study philosophy, influenced by her experiences in London. Despite early uncertainty, her time at the University of Pittsburgh helped shape her philosophical outlook, particularly in relation to epistemology and the interaction between knowledge and psychology. Throughout her journey, Nagel's outsider perspective allowed her to develop unique insights into contemporary epistemological discussions, ultimately bridging gaps between philosophy and psychology.
The Role of Context in Knowledge Attribution
The context in which we attribute knowledge significantly influences our judgments about what others know. Nagel introduces the concept of contextualism, asserting that our confidence in knowledge claims decreases as we become more self-conscious about them, illustrated through experimental scenarios. For instance, a person might confidently assert they know the time after checking a clock but may hesitate if reminded that clocks can be faulty. This fluctuation in knowledge attribution reflects the complexities of human cognition and suggests that our understanding of knowledge is intricately tied to the context in which it is evaluated.
Children's Development of Knowledge Attribution
Research indicates that children develop the ability to attribute knowledge before they can recognize beliefs in others, highlighting the importance of knowledge in early social interactions. Starting around nine months of age, children become attuned to the awareness of others, gradually distinguishing between knowledge and ignorance by the age of three. This ability fosters selective social learning, as children seek to align themselves with caregivers who possess knowledge, ultimately shaping their understanding of the world. Nagel emphasizes that knowledge is not merely a cognitive state but a crucial component in developing relationships and navigating social dynamics.
Curiosity and Its Impact on Knowledge Acquisition
Curiosity is posited as an intrinsic drive for knowledge, observable across various species, but particularly pronounced in human children. Children exhibit a relentless quest for understanding their environment through questioning and exploration, which is vital for their cognitive development. This innate curiosity can sometimes clash with social norms that discourage questioning or suggest curiosity may lead to negative consequences, as exemplified by the phrase 'curiosity killed the cat.' However, the dialogue posits that curiosity is essential for learning and social bonding, as it encourages meaningful conversations and the sharing of knowledge.
Humans are curious creatures who seek out knowledge about every aspect of the world. We also value knowledge to a great degree. Having a good education is very well-perceived and is a priority of many parents. We sometimes take pride in possessing knowledge, and tend to feel embarrassed when our ignorance gets put on display. More fundamentally, many of our social interactions require tracking what others know and signaling what we ourselves know. For instance, discussing politics with a foreigner might require extra care, as our knowledge of social and economic issues might be specialized relative to the contexts in which we grew up. If I learn that my interlocutor knows as much as I do about the political landscape of my home country, the interaction will likely become a lot more fluid. There is more common ground between us. What is knowledge such that it can play this role in conversation? What underlies our obsession with it? How do we develop the capacity to attribute knowledge to others and to understand them?
Jennifer Nagel is a professor of philosophy at University of Toronto. Much of her work has been concerned with topics at the intersection of epistemology and the philosophy of mind, such as mind reading, metacognition and communication. She is the author of Knowledge, a Very Short Introduction, at Oxford University Press.
Credits:Interview: Jay RichardsonArtwork: Ella BergruEditing: Jay RichardsonMusic: Thelma Samuel and Robin BaradelCommunication: Tanay Katiyar
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