Externalism, Internalism and Rationality

Question 1

Externalism

Answer 1

Externalism holds that facts about the world can count as reasons for action

Externalism is the view that the contents of an individual’s mind are not entirely determined by what is going on in her body

An epistemological theory is externalist iff it implies that epistemic status in part supervenes on relations and factors external to the agent

Thus, A theory of knowledge is externalist iff it implies that whether or not one has knowledge depends in part on relations or factors external to the agent

Question 1

Internalism

Answer 1

Internalism is the view that reasons for action always depend on the desires or beliefs of an agent

Internalism is the view that our contents depend only onproperties of our bodies, such as our brains

An epistemological theory is internalist iff it implies that epistemic status supervenes on the internal states of the agent

Thus, a theory of knowledge is internalist iff it implies that whether or not one has knowledge wholly depends on internal states

Question 2

Supervenience

Answer 2

refers to an asymmetrical dependence relation between two different sets of properties

If X supervenes on Y, then Y-properties determine X-properties. Or: X properties are determined by Y-properties (that do not themselves possess X-properties)

So, if mental states supervene on physical states, then physical states determine mental states

Question 3

Fallibilism

Answer 3

The thesis that no belief can ever be rationally supported or justified in a conclusive way
However, most fallibilists allow for cases of knowledge in which the rational support is logically inconclusive

• Fallibilism has the consequence of making it possible that:
  For two people who have the same evidence and are otherwise
  internally alike, one has knowledge and the other has not
  For example, sceptical scenarios (deceptive demons, brain-in-avat)
• This possibility, however, precludes internalism about
  knowledge

Thus, you cannot be an internalist about knowledge and a
fallibilist about knowledge

Question 4

Internalism and justifcation

Answer 4

One possibility: justification

We have previously defined ‘justification’ as “having good reasons
for believing that p”

“Having good reasons for believing that p” seems to be a purely
internal matter

So, on this view, internalism seems to be correct!

Question 5

Feldman construes internalism as the thesis that:

Answer 5

Being justified wholly depends on internal states and,
Justification is necessary for knowledge

Question 6

Epistemic justification

Answer 6

S is justified in believing that p, if she has good reasons for believing that p is true

Question 7

Non-epistemic justification

Answer 7

S is justified in ᴪ-ing, if she can provide compelling reasons for ᴪ-ing

Question 8

Practical rationality

Answer 8

Goals: Cost-effectiveness, justice, survival, fulfillment of desires, etc.

Practical rationality is thus an umbrella term (including economic/
financial rationality, moral rationality, etc.)

Generally speaking: Practical rationality = Instrumental rationality

Question 9

Epistemic rationality:

Answer 9

Goal: True beliefs

Epistemologists disagree on whether epistemic rationality, in the end, is actually a kind of instrumental rationality (non-instrumental valueof knowledge)

Question 10

Difference Epistemic rationality and Practical rationality: God Exists

Answer 10

Cosmological Argument
Everything has come into existence
In order to come into existce a cause is needed
there exists a first, uncaused cause
This first cause is god
Aims at epistemic rationality

Pascals wager
If you believe in god and die heaven (if god exists)
if you believe in god and die nothing (if god doesnt exists)
If you dont believe in god and die hell(if god exists)
if you dont in god and die nothing(if god doesnt exists)

Therefore it is best to believe in god = Practical rationality

Question 11

Epistemic rationality aims at what

Answer 11

at the goal of true belief
Not just: maximizing the number of true beliefs
Not just: minimizing the number of false beliefs
Find the right balance
Very difficult to pin down exactly!

Question 12

Deontic epistemic rationality:

Answer 12

The agent forms her beliefs by following certain norms
Those norms are right according to the agent (although theymay actually be wrong)

→Maintains the link between rationality and responsibility
→ Very weak demands for rationality

Question 13

Non-deontic epistemic rationality:

Answer 13

The agent forms her beliefs by following certain norms
Those norms are actually right

→Breaks the link between rationality and responsibility
→ Stronger demands for rationality

Question 14

Internalism vs. externalism: Deontic and non deontic epistemic rationality

Answer 14

Deontic epistemic rationality
o Epistemic rationality is linked to responsibility
o Epistemic rationality is within the agent’s own control
o Internalist conception of epistemic rationality

Non-deontic epistemic rationality
o Epistemic rationality is no longer linked to responsibility
o Epistemic rationality is not within the agent’s own control (other factors play a role; e.g. having been taught the right epistemic norms)
o Externalist conception of epistemic rationality