Detached Factual Knowledge, Memory, and Informational Environments

Citation

Millar A (2025) Detached Factual Knowledge, Memory, and Informational Environments. In: Campbell L (ed.) Forms of Knowledge: Essays on the Unity and Heterogeneity of Knowledge. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 190-205. https://doi.org/10.1093/9780191954856.003.0011

Abstract
This chapter develops an answer to the question, ‘How can it be that we have a vast amount of knowledge of facts about geography, history, literature, etc., given that we have forgotten—are detached from—whatever evidence enabled us to acquire this knowledge, and it is not sustained by other evidence that we have?’. Clearly, we remember lots of facts and this memory knowledge often survives detachment. A positive proposal is developed that explains how this can be, drawing on the idea that factual knowledge is inextricable from the possession of knowledge-constituting abilities. The discussion concludes with consideration of how we may acquire knowledge from such sources as books, journals, news broadcasts, and websites. Much depends on whether our informational environment is favourable to the acquisition of such knowledge. These matters are of more than theoretical interest given the ease with which informational environments can be, and are being, polluted.

Keywords
evidence-based knowledge; factual knowledge; informational environments; information sources; knowledge-consulting abilities; remembering