2025/10/11 by Auke Montessori, A.A. Montesano Montessori
Arts and Humanities · Computer Science · Psychology · #Epistemology, Ethics, and Metaphysics #Logic, Reasoning, and Knowledge #Philosophy and Theoretical Science
paper · pdf · doi:10.1007/s10670-025-01024-5
openalex created_date 2025/10/11 · openalex publication_date 2025/10/11 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/24
Abstract Preface and Lottery paradoxes have shown that competently deducing a novel conclusion from multiple justified premises does not necessarily result in a justified belief. However, those paradoxes do not arise if only a single premise is used. Yet, in recent years, justification closure for single premise deduction has also been challenged. Schechter has presented a case that, according to him, thwarts any attempt to formulate a general principle that links competent single premise deduction to justification. This paper develops a justification closure principle for single premise deduction that accommodates Schechter’s case, thus showing that his pessimism regarding the possibility of such principles is mistaken. I also argue that an alternative reply to Schechter’s case fails and that safeguarding justification closure constitutes progress for establishing knowledge closure for single premise deduction.