Theories of Knowledge Friday 6/7/02

internalism-you can explain justification to another person.

externalism-you formed your belief by way of a process that usually yields truth.

reflective access-you can call to mind the reasons for your belief, you can say how/why you know what you know. internalism requires it. externalism does not.

The idiot savant example supports externalism
internalism must assume epistemic duty.

reliablism-belief is justified if it's formed in a reliable way.

Int: :
Foundationalism
Coherentism. Ext: Reliablism: Re

criticism of internalism: too weak to call justification. Doesn't connect with reality. A false belief could be justified easily.

criticism of externalism: no reflective access. You need to prove process is reliable

the more basic a belief is, the harder it is to change.

Culture and upbringing affect beliefs. To change this, look at different perspectives.
Have an open mind, suspend judgement for 10 seconds. Avoid knee-jerk.

Volitionism-descriptive:it's possible to will a belief.
-direct:possible to "just believe"
-indirect:willing beliefs requires conditioning.
prescriptive:like above only justified.

Phenomonological argument against D.D.V.: A belief is something that happens to us,not something we do. passive not active.

Logic of belief argument:as soon as you admit that you only believe something because you want to, you begin to doubt it.


-Jazpur Leigh