In This Selection Russell First Distinguishes Between Knowledge by Acquaintance

question 11

True/False

In this selection Russell first distinguishes between knowledge by acquaintance (e.g., knowledge by appearances, such as "I seem to see a red book," "I am in pain," or "I think, therefore I am") and knowledge by description (knowledge of truths, such as your knowing that you are really seeing a red book or that your pain is caused by having twisted your ankle). Knowledge by acquaintance is generally thought to be infallible because believing it makes the proposition true. But the same is not the case for descriptive knowledge claims because your beliefs could be false. Thus, descriptive knowledge is dualistic-it has the properties of truth and falsity as opposites-whereas knowledge by acquaintance is monistic and does not admit such opposites. Russell goes on to specify the conditions for an adequate theory of truth and shows how the correspondence theory meets these conditions, whereas the coherence theory does not.
-Russell believes that the coherence theory of truth is at least as plausible as the correspondence theory.

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Definitions:

Scapegoat Theory

A concept suggesting that individuals or groups blame their own failures or shortcomings on another person or group.

Other-race Effect

The tendency to more easily recognize faces of the race that one is most familiar with, which can lead to difficulties in cross-racial identification.

Gender Preference

An individual's inclination or favoritism towards a specific gender, which can influence interpersonal attraction, friendships, and other social dynamics.

Criminal

An individual who has committed a crime or unlawful act as defined by the legal system.