Problem of the criterion

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In Epistemology, the problem of the criterion is an issue regarding the starting point of knowledge. This is a separate and more fundamental issue then the Regress argument found in discussions on justification of knowledge.

Roderick M. Chisholm in his Theory of Knowledge details the problem of the criterion with two sets of questions:

1. What do we know? or What is the extent of our knowledge?

2. How do we know? or What is the criteria of knowing?

An answer to either set of questions will allow us to devise a means of answering the other. Answering question set 1 first is called Particularism. The inverse is called Methodism.

Particularist theories organize things already known and attempt to use these particulars of knowledge to find a method of how we know thus answering question set 2. Methodist theories propose an answer to question set two and proceed to use this to answer question set one. Empericism is an example of methodism.

http://www.the-philosopher.co.uk/mille.htm