The Numerical Value of Belief and The Notion of Truth: An Exposition of Frank Ramsey's Epistemology

Abstract

he human need for knowledge and the proposition that knowledge is Justified True Belief form the background to this work. Knowledge is propositionally defined as Justified Truth, Belief, while belief and truth T in the definition is identified as objects of epistemological investigation. This study examined to what extent does belief relates to truth and in such a way that results of form the basis knowledge? The paper examines Ramsey's response, a response that predate the question. Ramsey in his epistemology, attempted to establish the relationship between truth and belief and how the relationship leads to knowledge. In doing this, paper adopts the analytic method to examine original works of Ramsey, related books, printed journal articles, and online sources were used. The study shows that belief has partial numerical value, which can be complemented by an action or the propensity to act. Truth on the other hand results from the action or the propensity to act at the instance of belief. In repeated successful actions, a consistent good result becomes a reliable case of knowledge. In such case, reliability resolves the challenges of justification in the prevailing context. Hence knowledge is not justified true belief but, most appropriately, reliable true belief