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What is the meaning of externalism in epistemology and theory of knowledge?

Laurine Mabee

Externalism in epistemology and theory of knowledge refers to the belief that knowledge and justification can depend on factors outside of our mental states. In other words, externalists argue that knowledge is not solely a product of our internal mental processes, but that knowledge is also influenced by factors external to ourselves.

Externalism is rooted in the idea that knowledge is not just a matter of having true beliefs, but it is also dependent on how those beliefs are formed and how they are related to the world. For instance, an externalist may argue that a belief is justified if it is formed through a reliable process, even if the person holding the belief is not aware of the reliability of that process. This means that knowledge is not only a matter of how things appear to us, but it is also a matter of how the world actually is.

This view of knowledge challenges the traditional view of internalism, which holds that knowledge and justification are dependent on internal mental states such as beliefs and experiences. According to internalism, knowledge is a matter of having cognitive access to reasons that provide support for our beliefs. In contrast, externalism argues that knowledge depends on factors external to our mental states such as the reliability of the process that produced our beliefs.

One of the main arguments in favor of externalism is the argument from the possibility of error. This argument claims that knowledge is not just a matter of our internal mental states, because it is possible for us to have justified beliefs that turn out to be false. For example, a person may believe that all swans are white based on their experiences, but if they were to encounter a black swan, their belief would be proven false. This means that knowledge cannot depend solely on our internal mental states, but it must also depend on external factors.

Another argument in favor of externalism is the argument from the causal theory of knowledge. This theory argues that knowledge is a matter of having a causal connection with the world. According to this theory, knowledge is not just a matter of our internal mental states, but it also depends on our interactions with the world. For example, a person may know that it is raining outside because they can see and hear the rain, which establishes a causal connection between their belief and the state of the world.

In conclusion, externalism challenges the traditional view of internalism by arguing that knowledge and justification are not solely a matter of our internal mental states, but they also depend on factors external to ourselves. This view emphasizes the importance of how our beliefs are formed and how they are related to the world. While externalism is not without its critics, it remains an important and influential perspective in contemporary epistemology and theory of knowledge.