Comparing Plato s Theaetetus, The Dialog Between Socrates...

Knowledge Defined as Justified True Belief In Plato’s Theaetetus, the dialog between Socrates and his student, Theaetetus, sets up the argument that knowledge is true belief that is adequately justified. Although there are many examples that prove Plato’s suggestion, people such as Edmund Gettier have questioned and disproved the notion of knowledge as justified true belief. In response to Gettier’s findings, many have tried to modify or find an alternative to the Justified True Belief model in search for the true definition of knowledge. In this paper, I will outline and discuss Plato’s Justified True Belief argument, outline and discuss Gettier’s response to Plato’s argument, and lastly, present and analyze four solutions to the Gettier problems. 1. Plato’s Justified True Belief In Plato’s Theaetetus, Socrates starts his discussion by asking Theaetetus to define the word knowledge. In response to Socrates’ question, Theaetetus responds by saying, â€Å"geometry†¦cobblery, and other craftsmen’s arts†¦are nothing else but knowledge† (Plato, 2). Though true, Plato is not satisfied with Theaetetus’ definition of knowledge because it fails to address the core meaning of the word. Plato is interested in understanding the definition of knowledge through conceptual analysis— understanding the minimum requirements for one to have knowledge, and avoiding circularity in definitions. In order to define knowledge through conceptual analysis, Socrates and Plato outline the argument as