Editing Epistemology (section)

==== Value ====
The value of knowledge is the worth it holds by expanding understanding and guiding action. Knowledge can have [[instrumental value]] by helping a person achieve their goals.<ref>{{multiref | {{harvnb|Degenhardt|2019|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=FuCsDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA1 1–6]}} | {{harvnb|Pritchard|2013|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=sfUhAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA10 10–11]}} | {{harvnb|Olsson|2011|pp=874–875}} }}</ref> For example, knowledge of a disease helps a doctor cure their patient.<ref>{{harvnb|McCormick|2014|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=3BAhBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA42 42]}}</ref> The usefulness of a known fact depends on the circumstances. Knowledge of some facts may have little to no uses, like memorizing random phone numbers from an outdated phone book.<ref>{{harvnb|Pritchard|2013|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=sfUhAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA11 11–12]}}</ref> Being able to assess the value of knowledge matters in choosing what information to acquire and share. It affects decisions like which subjects to teach at school and how to allocate funds to research projects.<ref>{{multiref | {{harvnb|Stehr|Adolf|2016|pp=483–485}} | {{harvnb|Powell|2020|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=GYdnEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA132 132–133]}} | {{harvnb|Meirmans|Butlin|Charmantier|Engelstädter|2019|pp=754–756}}  | {{harvnb|Degenhardt|2019|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=FuCsDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA1 1–6]}} }}</ref>

Epistemologists are particularly interested in whether knowledge is more valuable than a mere true opinion.<ref>{{multiref | {{harvnb|Pritchard|Turri|Carter|2022|loc=§ 1. Value Problems}} | {{harvnb|Olsson|2011|pp=874–875}} | {{harvnb|Greco|2021|loc=§ The Value of Knowledge}} }}</ref> Knowledge and true opinion often have a similar usefulness since both accurately represent reality. For example, if a person wants to go to [[Larissa]], a true opinion about the directions can guide them as effectively as knowledge.<ref>{{multiref | {{harvnb|Olsson|2011|pp=874–875}} | {{harvnb|Pritchard|Turri|Carter|2022|loc=§ 1. Value Problems}} | {{harvnb|Plato|2002|pp=[https://archive.org/details/fivedialogueseut00plat/page/89 89–90, 97b–98a]}} }}</ref> Considering this problem, Plato proposed that knowledge is better because it is more stable.<ref>{{multiref | {{harvnb|Olsson|2011|p=875}} | {{harvnb|Greco|2021|loc=§ The Value of Knowledge}} }}</ref> Another suggestion focuses on [[practical reasoning]], arguing that people put more trust in knowledge than in mere true opinions when drawing conclusions and deciding what to do.<ref>{{harvnb|Pritchard|Turri|Carter|2022|loc=§ 6. Other Accounts of the Value of Knowledge}}</ref> A different response says that knowledge has intrinsic value in addition to instrumental value. This view asserts that knowledge is always valuable, whereas true opinion is only valuable in circumstances where it is useful.<ref>{{multiref | {{harvnb|Pritchard|2013|pp=[https://books.google.com/books?id=sfUhAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA15 15–16]}} | {{harvnb|Greco|2021|loc=§ The Value of Knowledge}} }}</ref>