Abstract
In Judgment and Agency, Ernest Sosa argues for a triple-S structure of complete competences that includes, besides the innermost seat competence of the agent, her overall intrinsic condition (shape) and the right situational factors for the manifestation of cognitive success to occur. Complete competences are context-sensitive. The question is raised whether epistemic competences are extrinsic or intrinsic dispositional properties, as well as whether knowledge is the manifestation of powers of the actual world or whether it is a matter of what happens in modally close worlds. An ontological background for the context-sensitivity of epistemic competences that is compatible with their intrinsic character is set in the context of a general account of dispositions. An actualist conception of knowledge is also provided. On this view, the modal force of knowledge, far from being captured by non-localized possibilities, is rooted in the directedness of powers. This article, thus, aims at making explicit the ontological underpinnings of knowledge in a way that it is consistent with Sosa’s fully dispositional virtue epistemology. To this end, the constitution of complete competences is placed in a proper perspective.
Highlights
In Judgment and Agency, Sosa (2015) develops his account of knowledge as cognitive success due to competence into a rather thorough analysis of how competences, understood as dispositions or abilities to succeed, are constituted
The challenge is to show how context-sensitivity can be introduced while retaining what in my view are Sosa’s leading intuitions: (i) that the modal force of cognitive competences is entirely grounded in their bases so that external factors have no bearing on the competences the subject possesses and (ii) that the modality of knowledge is anchored in the actuality of epistemic powers capable of producing such manifestation
It is important to bear in mind that when advancing the triple-S structure of complete competence, Sosa focuses on one aspect of competences, and that his analysis is relative to competences partially considered as abilities to succeed
Summary
In Judgment and Agency, Sosa (2015) develops his account of knowledge as (broadly) cognitive success due to competence into a rather thorough analysis of how competences, understood as dispositions or abilities to succeed, are constituted. The challenge is to show how context-sensitivity can be introduced while retaining what in my view are Sosa’s leading intuitions: (i) that the modal force of cognitive competences is entirely grounded in their bases so that external factors have no bearing on the competences the subject possesses and (ii) that the modality of knowledge is anchored in the actuality of epistemic powers capable of producing such manifestation For this purpose, it is important to bear in mind that when advancing the triple-S structure of complete competence, Sosa focuses on one aspect of competences, and that his analysis is relative to competences partially considered as abilities to succeed. J&A, p. 8. Reciprocity is the fit of joint potentialities to mutual manifestation
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