Defeaters meaning

Defeaters are beliefs that can potentially override other beliefs if they are more plausible and undermine their justification.


Defeaters definitions

Word backwards sretaefed
Part of speech The part of speech of the word "defeaters" is a noun.
Syllabic division de-feat-ers
Plural The plural of the word "defeater" is "defeaters."
Total letters 9
Vogais (2) e,a
Consonants (5) d,f,t,r,s

Defeaters are reasons or evidence that undermine a belief or claim. They are used in philosophy, logic, epistemology, and other fields to challenge the rationality or validity of a particular argument or position.

Types of Defeaters

There are several types of defeaters, including a rebutting defeater, which directly disproves a belief, and an undercutting defeater, which challenges the basis of a belief without directly refuting it. Defeaters can be used to reveal flaws in reasoning, inconsistencies in evidence, or weaknesses in an argument.

Relevance to Epistemology

In epistemology, the study of knowledge and beliefs, defeaters play a crucial role in assessing the justification of beliefs. When a belief is confronted with a defeater, it calls into question the reliability or validity of the belief and requires a reassessment of the evidence or reasoning supporting it.

Identifying Defeaters

Identifying defeaters requires a critical examination of the premises and assumptions underlying a belief or argument. By considering potential counterarguments, conflicting evidence, or logical fallacies, one can uncover possible defeaters that weaken the overall strength of a position.

Defeaters serve as intellectual tools for promoting skepticism, encouraging critical thinking, and fostering intellectual humility. By acknowledging and addressing defeaters, individuals can refine their beliefs, strengthen their arguments, and engage in more rational and informed discussions.

Overall, understanding the concept of defeaters is essential for cultivating a rigorous and intellectually honest approach to reasoning and decision-making. By being aware of potential defeaters and actively assessing the validity of our beliefs, we can enhance our cognitive skills, refine our perspectives, and advance our pursuit of knowledge and truth.


Defeaters Examples

  1. The team needed to address the potential defeaters to their argument before presenting it.
  2. The lawyer presented evidence to refute the defeaters brought up by the opposing counsel.
  3. The scientist conducted experiments to determine if there were any possible defeaters to the hypothesis.
  4. In order to strengthen his case, the debater had to anticipate and counter any potential defeaters.
  5. The company conducted market research to identify any defeaters to their new product launch.
  6. The student included a section in her paper discussing possible defeaters to her research findings.
  7. The politician addressed potential defeaters to his policy proposal during the debate.
  8. The CEO listened to feedback from stakeholders to identify any defeaters to the company's strategic plan.
  9. The software developer conducted thorough testing to identify and address any potential defeaters in the code.
  10. The author considered possible defeaters to her argument before publishing the article.


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  • Updated 06/07/2024 - 22:52:57