Pim: Science describes observations, makes theories and hypothesis but
does not claim to know the truth.
Keithp: But my question was What is it that science claims to "know"?
You keep
speaking of our knowledge being increased as a result of science, yet
deny that science makes any truth claims. Traditionally, knowledge has
Indeed. And you keep asking what science claims to know. What is knows is
the observations and the hypotheses.
Keithp: been defined as justified true belief. In other words, to know
Justified belief I could agree with. Justified true belief depends on how
truth is defined.
Keithp: something is to hold beliefs that correspond to what is actually
the
case (i.e. true) and to have epistemological warrant for those beliefs.
Similarly, when we claim to understand an object or process, we are
claiming to possess a certain degree of knowledge about it. Perhaps it
would help our communication if you would define knowledge as you are
using the term. Thanks
Hmm. I would define (scientific) knowledge as our understanding of the
world around us based upon observations, theories and hypotheses.