Browse Book and Journal Content on Project MUSE
OR
The Benefits of Multiple Biased Observers

From: Episteme: A Journal of Social Epistemology
Volume 3, Issue 3, 2006
pp. 166-174 | 10.1353/epi.2007.0002

Abstract

We know that we can learn much from the reports of multiple competent, independent, unbiased observers. There are also things we can learn from the reports of competent but biased observers. Specifically, when reports go against the grain of an agent's known biases, we can be relatively confident in the veracity of those reports. Triangulating on the truth via that mechanism requires a multiplicity of observers with distinct biases, each of whose reports might be one-way decisive in that fashion. It also presupposes that all observers share the same fundamental epistemic standards.



Access your Project MUSE content using one of the login options below

Athens

Please see your librarian for assistance with Athens authentication.

Shibboleth

Shibboleth authentication is only available to registered institutions.

Project MUSE

Research Areas

Recommend

  • You have access to this content
  • Free sample
  • Open Access
  • Restricted Access