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Internalism and Externalism

Description: Test your understanding of the philosophical concepts of internalism and externalism with this quiz.
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: epistemology internalism externalism
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Which of the following is a key tenet of internalism?

  1. The justification of a belief is determined solely by the believer's mental states.

  2. The justification of a belief is determined solely by external factors, such as the evidence available.

  3. The justification of a belief is determined by a combination of internal and external factors.

  4. The justification of a belief is irrelevant to its truth.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Internalism holds that the justification of a belief is determined solely by the believer's mental states, such as their evidence, reasons, and cognitive processes.

Which of the following is a key tenet of externalism?

  1. The justification of a belief is determined solely by the believer's mental states.

  2. The justification of a belief is determined solely by external factors, such as the evidence available.

  3. The justification of a belief is determined by a combination of internal and external factors.

  4. The justification of a belief is irrelevant to its truth.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Externalism holds that the justification of a belief is determined solely by external factors, such as the evidence available, the testimony of others, and the social and cultural context.

Which of the following is an example of an internalist theory of justification?

  1. Coherentism

  2. Foundationalism

  3. Reliabilism

  4. Evidentialism


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Coherentism is an internalist theory of justification that holds that a belief is justified if it is coherent with the believer's other beliefs and evidence.

Which of the following is an example of an externalist theory of justification?

  1. Coherentism

  2. Foundationalism

  3. Reliabilism

  4. Evidentialism


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Reliabilism is an externalist theory of justification that holds that a belief is justified if it is formed by a reliable process, such as perception or memory.

What is the main objection to internalism?

  1. It is too subjective.

  2. It is too narrow.

  3. It is too dogmatic.

  4. It is too skeptical.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The main objection to internalism is that it is too subjective, as it relies solely on the believer's mental states to determine the justification of a belief.

What is the main objection to externalism?

  1. It is too objective.

  2. It is too broad.

  3. It is too relativistic.

  4. It is too foundationalist.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The main objection to externalism is that it is too objective, as it relies solely on external factors to determine the justification of a belief, ignoring the believer's mental states.

Which of the following philosophers is most closely associated with internalism?

  1. René Descartes

  2. John Locke

  3. David Hume

  4. Immanuel Kant


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

René Descartes is most closely associated with internalism, as he argued that the only thing that can be known with certainty is one's own thoughts and experiences.

Which of the following philosophers is most closely associated with externalism?

  1. René Descartes

  2. John Locke

  3. David Hume

  4. Immanuel Kant


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

John Locke is most closely associated with externalism, as he argued that all knowledge comes from experience and that the mind is a blank slate at birth.

How does internalism relate to skepticism?

  1. Internalism is a form of skepticism.

  2. Internalism is opposed to skepticism.

  3. Internalism is unrelated to skepticism.

  4. Internalism is a necessary condition for skepticism.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Internalism is opposed to skepticism, as it holds that there are some beliefs that can be known with certainty, such as one's own thoughts and experiences.

How does externalism relate to skepticism?

  1. Externalism is a form of skepticism.

  2. Externalism is opposed to skepticism.

  3. Externalism is unrelated to skepticism.

  4. Externalism is a necessary condition for skepticism.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Externalism is opposed to skepticism, as it holds that there are some beliefs that can be known with certainty, such as those that are based on reliable evidence.

Which of the following is an example of an internalist argument against skepticism?

  1. The Cogito ergo sum argument

  2. The Problem of Evil

  3. The Münchhausen trilemma

  4. The Sorites paradox


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Cogito ergo sum argument is an internalist argument against skepticism, as it argues that the only thing that can be known with certainty is one's own thoughts and experiences.

Which of the following is an example of an externalist argument against skepticism?

  1. The Cogito ergo sum argument

  2. The Problem of Evil

  3. The Münchhausen trilemma

  4. The Sorites paradox


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The Problem of Evil is an externalist argument against skepticism, as it argues that the existence of evil in the world is evidence that there is a God who is either not all-powerful or not all-good.

What is the significance of the internalism/externalism debate?

  1. It is a purely academic debate with no real-world implications.

  2. It has implications for our understanding of knowledge, justification, and truth.

  3. It has implications for our understanding of the mind and consciousness.

  4. It has implications for our understanding of ethics and morality.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The internalism/externalism debate has implications for our understanding of knowledge, justification, and truth, as it raises questions about the role of the believer's mental states and external factors in determining the justification of a belief.

Is the internalism/externalism debate likely to be resolved in the near future?

  1. Yes, there is a clear consensus emerging on one side of the debate.

  2. No, the debate is likely to continue for many years to come.

  3. It is impossible to say, as the debate is too complex.

  4. The debate is irrelevant to contemporary philosophy.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The internalism/externalism debate is likely to continue for many years to come, as there are strong arguments on both sides of the issue and no clear consensus is likely to emerge in the near future.

What are some of the most promising avenues for future research on internalism and externalism?

  1. Developing new theories of justification that incorporate both internalist and externalist elements.

  2. Investigating the relationship between internalism and externalism and other philosophical issues, such as skepticism and the mind-body problem.

  3. Applying internalist and externalist theories to practical problems, such as the evaluation of evidence and the making of decisions.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

All of the above are promising avenues for future research on internalism and externalism, as they offer the potential to deepen our understanding of these important philosophical issues.

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