Philosophy -> Epistemology and Theory of Knowledge
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Hey there,
To answer your question, externalism and internalism are two distinct approaches to epistemology and theory of knowledge. Externalism is the belief that knowledge can be attained through experiences that occur external to the mind, such as sense experience, testimony, and observation of the environment. On the contrary, Internalism is the belief that knowledge can only be attained by the internal experiences of the mind, such as self-reflection, intuition, and reasoning.
Externalism, in epistemology, holds that justified beliefs can be generated by features that are external to the believing subject. According to this view, knowledge is constituted by the interaction between the external world and the internal constituents of the organism that is having the perception. External factors such as sense experience, social interaction, and physical evidence all contribute to the formation of an individual's belief about a claim. Moreover, externalism may also suggest that cognitive processes may follow a simple algorithmic function to match the external world to cognitive inputs.
On the other hand, Internalism emphasizes the role that personal experiences play in forming beliefs. Internalists argue that knowledge arises from the interactions between the individual's internal experiences and how they make sense of the external world. According to this view, knowledge is a product of internal mental states, such as concepts, beliefs, understanding, and reasoning. Fundamentally, internalists argue that the idea of having knowledge is not simple, and it involves a complex set of internal mental states as well as previous experiences.
One of the central debates between externalism and internalism is whether reliability is the necessary condition for knowledge. Externalists argue that an individual has knowledge if they have been truth-tracking with some degree of reliability. Internalists, on the other hand, argue that a person's reliability is only as good as their distinct mental states which can be biased in particular ways.
Overall, the fundamental difference between externalism and internalism in the context of epistemology and theory of knowledge comes down to the role of external and internal factors in shaping knowledge. Externalists stress the role of the external environment in shaping our beliefs, while internalists argue that internal mental states play a more significant role in the formation of knowledge.
Hope this helps clarify your doubts.
Cheers!
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