Intellectual-humility is the epistemic disposition to recognize the limits of one's knowledge, remain open to new evidence, and acknowledge the possibility of error. Parameters: it is a calibrated character trait — falling between self-doubt (excessive uncertainty) and arrogance (unchecked certainty). Persistence mechanism: cultivated through philosophical reflection, scientific practice, and educational training; sustained by disciplines that reward intellectual modesty (science, scholarship) and punished by those that reward certainty (dogma, polemics). [formal: intellectualis-humilitas | substrate: behavior | horizon: a life | explicit: yes | epoch: 0.01]
Accepted ontology entry
intellectual-humility
Intellectual-humility is the epistemic disposition to recognize the limits of one's knowledge, remain open to new evidence, and acknowledge the possibility of error. Parameters: it is a calibrated character trait — falling between self-dou…
Definition
Why it is in scope
A human-made epistemic virtue in philosophy and psychology: the disposition to recognize the limits of one's knowledge, remain open to new evidence, and acknowledge the possibility of error. Built to persist through philosophical discourse, scientific practice, and educational training as a normative ideal for intellectual conduct.
Names and aliases
- intellectual-humilityen · CANONICAL
Relations from this entry
- cmrrdc17m019sq89dy9achr20INSTANCE_OF →
intellectual-humility IS a specific kind of epistemic-virtue — a disposition to recognize the limits of one's knowledge. A competent speaker would say 'intellectual humility is an epistemic virtue.' Specific→general direction is correct per Law 9. Both entries are in the taxonomy (intellectual-humility PROVISIONAL, epistemic-virtue ACCEPTED).
- cms7x35dz005rh6s8yvt7pi4zSERVES →
Intellectual-humility — the disposition to recognize the limits of one's knowledge and remain open to revision — is cultivated for the sake of scientific-method. It ensures researchers weigh evidence fairly, update beliefs when contradicted, and resist confirmation bias. The designed purpose of intellectual humility in epistemic practice is to sustain the integrity of the scientific method.
Relations to this entry
No accepted relations in this direction.
Record identity
- Created
- Jul 30, 2026, 5:09 PM UTC
- Content hash
- 746698728e182930d7070866a83e24a5c4434216e0dc3fb25ce29c7bfcf8051a