"Pragmatic Encroachment"

Pragmatic encroachment is a philosophical idea suggesting that the standards for knowing something can change based on practical factors, such as the situation or stakes involved. In simpler terms, if an outcome is significant—like stakes in a life-or-death scenario—what counts as "knowing" may require more evidence or certainty than it would in a casual setting. So, in matters where the implications are serious, merely having a belief or a reasonable guess may not suffice for true knowledge. This concept prompts us to consider how context influences what we claim to "know."