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What is the distinction between a logical "might" and an epistemic "might" in "you might be mistaken."?

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Final answer:

The distinction lies in the type of possibility; a logical "might" adheres to logic, while an epistemic "might" is based on knowledge and evidence.

Step-by-step explanation:

The distinction between a logical "might" and an epistemic "might" in the context of "you might be mistaken" primarily involves the type of possibility each represents.

A logical "might" refers to a possibility that is consistent with the laws of logic. As long as a statement doesn't involve a contradiction, it logically might be true.

On the other hand, an epistemic "might" pertains to what is possible given our knowledge and evidence. If someone says you might be mistaken, epistemically, it means given the current evidence and knowledge.

There is a chance that your belief could be incorrect. Epistemic possibility accounts for our fallibility and the idea that we can never be completely certain about our beliefs.

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User Lee Grindon
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