Summary |
The notion of evidence features importantly in epistemology
and philosophy of science. There are three primary questions that a theory of
evidence must address. The constitution
question asks: What is the nature of evidence? A major divide in answers to the
constitution question is between those who think that all evidence is
propositional and those who think that some evidence is non-propositional. The possession
question asks: When does someone possess a piece of information as evidence? Restrictive
views of evidence possession hold that one has as evidence only information that one is consciously entertaining. More inclusive views of evidence
possession hold that one’s evidence includes non-occurrent
information, such as stored memories. Lastly, a theory of
evidence must address the positive
support question. In philosophy of science and formal epistemology the positive support question is: When is a hypothesis confirmed by evidence? In
contemporary epistemology the positive support question is: When is a belief
justified by evidence? |