The Truth and Gambling

An interesting portion of the reading was the example of gambling while talking about epistemic entitlement. On p22 we see the line "It is then in our interest to act on the basis of true beliefs." It goes on further to say that we don't really know what is true a true belief and what is false. It seems to me it then tell us that in understanding the situation we then "weigh the real risks and rewards, and choose the best course." It goes on further to refute this idea because "To override luck, justification must ensure that even in the worst of epistemic circumstances there is no danger of error."

In light of the example of gambling I have a hard time believe this last quotation. In gambling an individual (one that is good at gambling) plays the odds in a uniform process. Whether it is counting cards, keeping track of which hands have been played, using calculations based on his hand compared to what other players hands are, doing research on a race house or basketball team; either way, it seems to me that this person could be justified to epistemic entitlement or in other words confidence.

One could say life decisions are gambles as well because he don't know if our beliefs by which we make decisions are true ones or false ones. We do the best with what we find to be reasonable justifiable and make decisions. Are we not to make any decisions in life with a feeling of confidence.

Kevin Kuhle