Single Idea 2749

[catalogued under 13. Knowledge Criteria / A. Justification Problems / 3. Internal or External / a. Pro-internalism]

Full Idea

The internalist would claim that even if the belief is caused by the true fact to which it refers, it is also necessary that the believer believes that this is how their belief arose, and not some other way.

Gist of Idea

For internalists we must actually know that the fact caused the belief

Source

Jonathan Dancy (Intro to Contemporary Epistemology [1985], 3.5)

Book Reference

Dancy,Jonathan: 'Introduction to Contemporary Epistemology' [Blackwell 1985], p.47


A Reaction

I'm converted to internalism. If the belief is externally supported in the right way, then it may well be a true belief, but knowledge needs critical faculties, and justifications which can be articulated.