Against intuitions

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DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4013/fsu.2021.221.03

Abstract

This paper intends to offer a critical evaluation of the role played by intuitions in the mainstream methodology in traditional analytic epistemology. The criticism directed to what I call methodology of evaluation by intuitions shows that epistemologists often idealize the reliability of intuitions when assessing a theory against potential counterexamples, ignoring that the disposition to answer intuitively to a case of concept attribution is bounded to the familiar dimension in which the relevant conceptual competence emerges. Thus, the reliability of intuitions does not necessarily extend to far-fetched cases. Given that the assessment by our intuitions is not sufficient to decide for or against an epistemological theory, I offer a sketch for a pragmatic and naturalized conception of theoretical decision-making in epistemology.

Key-words: Intuitions, Analytic epistemology, Conceptual abilities, Naturalism, Pragmatism.

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Published

2021-03-15

How to Cite

ROLLA, G. Against intuitions. Filosofia Unisinos / Unisinos Journal of Philosophy, São Leopoldo, v. 22, n. 1, p. 21–28, 2021. DOI: 10.4013/fsu.2021.221.03. Disponível em: https://www.revistas.unisinos.br/index.php/filosofia/article/view/fsu.2021.221.03. Acesso em: 23 may. 2025.

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