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Is Knowledge of G od a Cognitive Achievement?
Author(s) -
Bolos Anthony
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
ratio
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.475
H-Index - 29
eISSN - 1467-9329
pISSN - 0034-0006
DOI - 10.1111/rati.12090
Subject(s) - obstacle , cognition , epistemology , process (computing) , psychology , sociology , philosophy , computer science , political science , law , neuroscience , operating system
This essay considers whether reformed epistemology is compatible with the claim that knowledge is a cognitive achievement. It is argued that knowledge of G od is not only compatible with a more general achievement claim, but is also compatible with a much stronger achievement claim – namely, the strong achievement thesis where achievements are characterized by the overcoming of some obstacle. With respect to reformed epistemology, then, it is argued that the obstacle that is overcome is an environment that is not conducive to belief in G od given the cognitive consequence of sin. This essay suggests two ways in which the agent is involved in the process of overcoming this obstacle.