What is the difference between factivity and non-factivity according to Nagel? Why is this distinction important to her discussion of knowledge?

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The Answer is Nagel distinguishes between factivity and non-factivity in her discussion of knowledge. Factivity refers to the requirement that a belief must be true in order to count as knowledge, while non-factivity refers to the possibility of having knowledge even if the belief is false.

This distinction is important to Nagel's discussion of knowledge because it helps to clarify the conditions under which a belief can be considered knowledge. By distinguishing between factivity and non-factivity, Nagel is able to explore the different ways in which we can have knowledge and the implications of these different ways for our understanding of the nature of knowledge.

For example, if knowledge is understood as factive, then it becomes crucial to ensure that our beliefs are true in order to count as knowledge. On the other hand, if knowledge is understood as non-factive, then it opens up the possibility of having knowledge even if our beliefs turn out to be false. This has important implications for our understanding of the reliability and justification of our beliefs, as well as for the nature of truth and its relationship to knowledge.

Overall, the distinction between factivity and non-factivity is important to Nagel's discussion of knowledge because it helps to clarify the conditions under which a belief can be considered knowledge and the implications of these conditions for our understanding of the nature of knowledge.

What Is the Difference Between Factivity and Non-Factivity According to Nagel