A Jaunty Theory of Knowing, or, Epistemology gone mad

A Jaunty Theory of Knowing

I know that kangaroos can hop—
Or think I do; I’m fairly sure.
But epistemology says, “Stop!
What makes a claim of knowledge pure?”

A belief is simply what we hold:
“The fridge contains a fizzy drink.”
But truth requires the world be told
In terms that match—it’s not mere ink.

And justification? Ah, that’s key:
Good reasons, evidence, a ground.
A lucky guess may truthfully be
A truth—but knowledge? Not renowned.

The classic recipe, neat and prim:
Justified, and true, believed.
Then Gettier strolled in on a whim
And left philosophers quite peeved.

“Suppose,” he said, “you’re right by chance,
With reasons sound but strangely bent.
Is that still knowledge? Take a stance!”
And off the tidy definitions went.

The skeptic smiles and tips his hat:
“Perhaps you’re dreaming as we speak.
Can you be certain this or that
Is real, and not a dreamy freak?”

The fallibilist replies with cheer,
“No certainty—but knowledge still!
We hold our best beliefs sincere,
And test, revise, and use our skill.”

The empiricist points at the sky:
“Your senses brought you every thought!”
The rationalist, with head held high,
Says, “Reason knows what senses taught.”

“Two plus two makes four,” says one,
“No telescope required to see.”
The other says, “When day is done,
All knowledge starts with what you see.”

The foundationalist builds tall:
“Some beliefs are basic; rest on those!”
The coherentist says, “Not at all—
It’s one great web, and each belief knows.”

The internalist looks inward, pleased:
“My reasons live inside my head.”
The externalist is not so eased:
“Reliable processes instead!”

Perception brings the world in view;
Introspection checks the mind;
Memory recalls what once was true;
Reason links what it can find.

Testimony too can light the way—
A friend, a book, a well-sourced page.
But trust with care, don’t blindly sway;
A defeater turns a brand-new age.

There’s knowledge-how: to ride, to bake,
To fold a sheet or play a tune.
And knowledge-by-acquaintance: take
The taste of coffee, smell of June.

So here’s to doubt, and here’s to proof,
To open minds and honest tests.
We may not reach the certainty roof—
But knowing how to seek is best.

For wisdom isn’t just a fact
Filed neatly in a mental drawer;
It’s understanding how things act,
And knowing when to ask for more.

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Quatrains, inspired by Epistemology - Wikipedia

Ref:  Quatrain - Wikipedia