Epistemic Contextualism and Error Theory

Abstract

In this essay, I argue that Schiffer’s error-theoretical objection against epistemic contextualism (EC) does not hold, that ‘know(s)’ is context-sensitive and that there is a potential error theory for epistemic contextualism.

The argument unfolds in two parts: after some introductory remarks (sections 2&3), I first critically assess the recent discussion of Schiffer’s error-theoretical objection (section 4) and show that it rests on a confusion that can be avoided by making a previously unstated distinction (section 5). In the second part, I showcase a model for the context-sensitivity of ‘know(s)’ (section 6) and sketch out a pragmatic approach to the error theory required by EC (section 7).