Is "I know what I know" fallacious?
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Original Question
I had a new experience last night and this phrase came to mind: I don't know what I don't know. Or I could say it as: I only know what I know. I've long been interested in the philosophical study of epistemology. Back to my original statements though, I'm certain they must contain logical fallacies. I need some help as I've just discovered this website and it's going to take some time to go through it for an answer. I am an avid student, but logic and reasoning are not my strong points yet. Looking forward to learning more!
Answers
1Hello RS,
There is actually a well-researched cognitive bias know as the Dunning-Kruger effect , which is basically the same thing as what you have been describing: incompetent people are too incompetent to know they are incompetent. That is, they don't know what they don't know. The statement itself is accurate and I would say without fallacy. It is simply a factual claim. However, if you turn it into more of an argument such as, "I know what I know, therefore, everything I know is factually correct," then there is plenty of ways one could call this fallacious.
Hope this helps.
There is actually a well-researched cognitive bias know as the Dunning-Kruger effect , which is basically the same thing as what you have been describing: incompetent people are too incompetent to know they are incompetent. That is, they don't know what they don't know. The statement itself is accurate and I would say without fallacy. It is simply a factual claim. However, if you turn it into more of an argument such as, "I know what I know, therefore, everything I know is factually correct," then there is plenty of ways one could call this fallacious.
Hope this helps.
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