Abstract

Odegard's purpose is twofold: "to describe an ideal form of the knowledge of truth," and to "defend the view that such an ideal is realistic." While his description of knowledge is rooted in ordinary language, it is not bound by it; he reshapes ordinary language when necessary. The description includes those elements that are the necessary and sufficient conditions for an ideal knowledge. Odegard argues for its realism by giving an apologetic response to a sceptic. Accordingly the book is divided into two parts. Part 1 is a description of the ideal form of the knowledge of truth, and Part 2 is a defense of this ideal against attacks by the sceptic.