Impact of Non-Epistemic Elements on Knowledge in Zagzebski's View

Knowledge is one of the most important accomplishments of human being in confrontation with phenomena and facts whichhe acquires through his cognitive faculties. Throughout the history of philosophy, there was always this confusion that whether or not beliefs are influenced by his non-epistemic areas and external elements, and if so, is it epistemically acceptable or the agent should avoid these effects. Zagzebski, one of the modern epistemologists, who is known often with the theory of “virtue epistemology”, in process of explanation of her theory, speaksof non-epistemic elements as the foundations of knowledge.Feelings and emotions, virtues and vices, human will and social backgrounds are some most important elements, which she mentions and constructs her theory on them. This article analyzes these elements and process of their impacts on knowledge formation.