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MENTAL MODEL · M0066

Epistemic Humility

Epistemic Humility
BehaviorHigh supportPsychology
Included
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-28

CORE DEFINITION

Recognizing that one’s knowledge is limited and fallible, matching confidence in a claim to available evidence, and remaining willing to revise even strongly held conclusions. As an epistemic virtue, it requires corresponding changes in inquiry rather than merely saying “I could be wrong.”

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

When challenged, directs attention toward evidence, knowledge boundaries, and overlooked conditions, supporting open discussion without excessive defense of one’s position.

anchor

Anchor fast decisions

Knowledge judgments depend on expertise, conditions of observation, and available evidence, all of which can be limited. Epistemic humility calibrates confidence by recognizing these limits and adjusting claims and inquiry accordingly; it does not guarantee the elimination of bias or faster correct answers.

MINIMUM ACTION

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Source support: Explicit

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    en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epistemic_humilityEN · Explicit
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