Definitions Of "Knowing"

The question was put:

"Consider the following. A certain type of experience (E) can be caused by one of two causes (A or B). If E is caused by A, then B is no part of the cause of E. If E is caused by B, then A is no part of the cause of E. The experience of E includes certain perceptions (P). Part of the content of P is that E is caused by A and not caused by B. The latter is still true even when E is caused by B and not caused by A. In other words, a person who experienced E when E was caused by B and not caused by A would still have the perception P, as part of E, that E was caused by A and not caused by B.

Bob is a person much like yourself. Bob experiences E and perceives P as a result of E. Bob subsequently states "I know that my experience of E was caused by A and not caused by B". Now imagine that as distant and omniscient observers we know that Bob's experience of E was in fact caused by A and not caused by B. Consider the following statement (K) and answer Question 1:

(K) Bob knows that his experience of E was caused by A and not caused by B.

Imagine a third person, Joe. Joe is also a person much like yourself. Joe experiences E and perceives P as a result of E. Joe subsequently states "I know that my experience of E was caused by A and not caused by B". Now imagine that as distant and omniscient observers we know that Joe's experience of E was in fact caused by B and not caused by A. Consider the following statement (O) and answer Question 2:

(O) Joe knows that his experience of E was caused by A and not caused by B."

To which I responded:

Of course, your question is about whether we can agree on a definition of "knowing". I responded that neither Bob nor Joe actually knows whether their experience is caused by A or B, but that is becuase I have chosen to use the term "know" in the stricter sense. However, the term "know" as commonly used, both in and out of religious circles, is often used to describe subjective certainty, as opposed to objective certainty. Unfortunately, the term "know" is used interchangeably for both meanings, which can cause doubting members of the Church great concern about their lack of certainty in the face of their fellow members who claim to "know". A great philosopher once came up with the idea that we really know nothing except for the existence of our thoughts and perceptions (I think, therefore I am). Perhaps all of our perceptions are simply illusions being fed to us through some unknown mechanism. But while it is somewhat helpful for us to accept that we really know virtually nothing in the strict sense, such is no excuse for us to refuse to draw conclusions and act based upon the perceptions we do have. So we are compelled to operate from the initial premise that our perceptions our real, and if we err, we do so in good faith. But it is equally unacceptable to assume that our interpretation of our perceived experiences will always be error free, and educating ourselves will reduce the chances of us erring.