Single Idea 3702

[catalogued under 13. Knowledge Criteria / C. External Justification / 10. Anti External Justification]

Full Idea

If externalism is the final story, we have no reason to think that any of our beliefs are true, which amounts to a very strong and intuitively implausible version of scepticism.

Gist of Idea

Externalism means we have no reason to believe, which is strong scepticism

Source

Laurence Bonjour (In Defence of Pure Reason [1998], §3.7)

Book Reference

Bonjour,Laurence: 'In Defense of Pure Reason' [CUP 1998], p.96


A Reaction

A very good point. I may, like a cat, know many things, with good external support, but as soon as I ask sceptical questions, I sink without trace if I lack internal reasons.