• Philosophy -> Epistemology and Theory of Knowledge

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Is externalism compatible with skepticism?

Sybilla Kingzeth

Externalism and skepticism are two big words that can be hard to understand. But in simple terms, externalism is the idea that the things outside of our minds, like the world around us, help shape our thoughts and beliefs. On the other hand, skepticism is the idea that it's difficult or impossible to have certain knowledge or beliefs about the world.

Now, the question is whether these two ideas can work together. Can externalism be compatible with skepticism?

Well, some people might say no. If we believe that the world around us shapes our beliefs, then we might be more confident in our beliefs. After all, we can see the evidence of the world around us, and it seems to support our beliefs. But if we're skeptical about our beliefs, then we might not trust the evidence of the world around us. We might think that we could be wrong about anything, even if it seems like we have good reasons to believe it.

But other people might say yes. They might think that externalism can help us be more open-minded and willing to change our beliefs. If we're aware that our beliefs are influenced by the world around us, then we might be more willing to consider other viewpoints. We might recognize that our beliefs could be wrong, and that we need to keep looking for more evidence to support them.

In the end, whether externalism is compatible with skepticism is a complicated question. It depends on how we think about these two ideas and how we approach our beliefs and knowledge. But no matter what, it's important to stay open-minded and willing to consider new ideas and evidence. That's the best way to learn and grow!