Knowledge and testing
Factivity
Factive constraint
Extended note
Factivity marks that knowledge is not merely an attitude toward a statement, but requires that what is said actually corresponds to what is. If the claim does not hold, the knowledge-status falls even if the actor was sincere or justified in believing it.
Limitations
Not the same as
- certainty feeling
- strong belief
- consensus
- formal status
Related terms
Methodological relevance
Findings must be formulated so the factive requirement can be tested: what must be the case for the finding actually to hold?
Sources and principal occurrence
Source note: The entry specifies knowledge's binding to truth and actuality within Corrigible Realism.
- DET SOM ERThe foundational work and primary source.
- Corrigible RealismThe academic and philosophical position.
Correct and incorrect use
Correct use
“If the letter was not sent, we cannot know that it was sent.”
Incorrect or over-strong use
“She knew it, although it was not true.”
Suggested citation
Suggested citationVikesland, M. A. A. (2026). “Factivity”. Røyndalism — Lexicon, content version 1.0.
APAVikesland, M. A. A. (2026). Factivity (version 1.0). Røyndalism. https://royndalisme.no/en/lexicon/factivity/
MLAVikesland, Martin A. A.. “Factivity.” Røyndalism, version 1.0, Vikesland Press, 2026, https://royndalisme.no/en/lexicon/factivity/.
ChicagoVikesland, Martin A. A.. “Factivity.” Røyndalism. version 1.0. Vikesland Press, 2026. https://royndalisme.no/en/lexicon/factivity/.
IEEEM. A. A. Vikesland, “Factivity,” Røyndalism, version 1.0, Vikesland Press, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://royndalisme.no/en/lexicon/factivity/
CSEVikesland MAA. 2026. Factivity. version 1.0. Røyndalism. Vikesland Press. Available from: https://royndalisme.no/en/lexicon/factivity/
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Revision note
- Document version
- 1.0
- First published
- 18 June 2026
First public edition.