Work

Knowing what you can do: An exploration-based epistemology of ability

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: We have a lot of knowledge of our own abilities. Explaining how we acquire such knowledge raises a number of interesting challenges. In particular, it is difficult to explain how we begin to learn about our robust abilities to perform intentional actions without initial access to evidence in the form of intentional performances. We propose a solution to this problem: we gain elementary evidence of our own abilities by engaging in unintentional behaviours (in particular, exploration and imitation) in the process of developing those very abilities. We develop a three-stage theory that explicates how we get from evidence in the form of such unintentional behaviours to knowledge of our own robust abilities.

Source: Synthese

DOI: 10.1007/s11229-026-05506-z

Authors: Sophie Kikkert, Tom Schoonen

Institutions: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, University of Amsterdam

Language: English

Topic: Epistemology, Ethics, and Metaphysics

Subfield: Philosophy

Field: Arts and Humanities

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Quality education

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,190