The Arguments for and Against Internalism

Description: This quiz assesses your understanding of the arguments for and against internalism in epistemology. Internalism is the view that justification for beliefs is determined solely by factors internal to the believer, such as their evidence and reasoning. Externalism, on the other hand, is the view that justification can also be determined by factors external to the believer, such as the reliability of their sources of information or the social context in which they hold their beliefs.
Number of Questions: 14
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Tags: epistemology internalism externalism justification
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Which of the following is a central tenet of internalism?

  1. Justification for beliefs is determined solely by factors internal to the believer.

  2. Justification for beliefs can be determined by factors both internal and external to the believer.

  3. Justification for beliefs is determined solely by the reliability of the believer's sources of information.

  4. Justification for beliefs is determined solely by the social context in which the believer holds their beliefs.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Internalism holds that the justification for a belief is determined solely by factors internal to the believer, such as their evidence and reasoning. This means that the truth or falsity of the belief is irrelevant to its justification.

Which of the following is a common argument against internalism?

  1. The Gettier problem

  2. The lottery paradox

  3. The Münchhausen trilemma

  4. The regress argument


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Gettier problem is a thought experiment that challenges the internalist account of justification. It presents a case where a person has a justified belief that is true, but their justification is not reliable. This shows that justification and truth are not always connected, which undermines the internalist position.

What is the lottery paradox?

  1. A thought experiment that challenges the internalist account of justification.

  2. A thought experiment that challenges the externalist account of justification.

  3. A thought experiment that challenges the coherentist account of justification.

  4. A thought experiment that challenges the foundationalist account of justification.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The lottery paradox is a thought experiment that challenges the externalist account of justification. It presents a case where a person has a justified belief that is true, but their justification is not reliable. This shows that justification and truth are not always connected, which undermines the externalist position.

Which of the following is a common argument for internalism?

  1. The coherence theory of justification

  2. The foundationalist theory of justification

  3. The reliabilist theory of justification

  4. The virtue theory of justification


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The coherence theory of justification is a theory of justification that holds that a belief is justified if it is coherent with the believer's other beliefs. Internalists often appeal to the coherence theory to argue that justification is determined solely by factors internal to the believer.

What is the Münchhausen trilemma?

  1. A thought experiment that challenges the internalist account of justification.

  2. A thought experiment that challenges the externalist account of justification.

  3. A thought experiment that challenges the coherentist account of justification.

  4. A thought experiment that challenges the foundationalist account of justification.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The Münchhausen trilemma is a thought experiment that challenges the foundationalist account of justification. It presents three options for how to justify foundational beliefs: infinite regress, circular reasoning, or dogmatism. This shows that foundationalism is either impossible or unreliable, which undermines the internalist position.

Which of the following is a common objection to the coherence theory of justification?

  1. The regress argument

  2. The lottery paradox

  3. The Gettier problem

  4. The Münchhausen trilemma


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The regress argument is a common objection to the coherence theory of justification. It argues that if a belief is justified only if it is coherent with the believer's other beliefs, then those other beliefs must also be justified. This leads to an infinite regress of justification, which is impossible.

What is the foundationalist theory of justification?

  1. A theory of justification that holds that some beliefs are justified without being based on other beliefs.

  2. A theory of justification that holds that all beliefs are justified by their coherence with other beliefs.

  3. A theory of justification that holds that all beliefs are justified by their reliability.

  4. A theory of justification that holds that all beliefs are justified by their virtue.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Foundationalism is a theory of justification that holds that some beliefs are justified without being based on other beliefs. These foundational beliefs are typically taken to be self-evident or indubitable.

Which of the following is a common argument for externalism?

  1. The social epistemology argument

  2. The testimony argument

  3. The peer disagreement argument

  4. The defeasibility argument


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The social epistemology argument is a common argument for externalism. It argues that our knowledge and justification are often socially mediated. We rely on others for information, testimony, and evidence. This shows that justification can be determined by factors external to the believer.

What is the testimony argument?

  1. An argument that challenges the internalist account of justification.

  2. An argument that challenges the externalist account of justification.

  3. An argument that challenges the coherentist account of justification.

  4. An argument that challenges the foundationalist account of justification.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The testimony argument is an argument that challenges the internalist account of justification. It argues that we can be justified in believing something based on the testimony of others, even if we do not have any independent evidence for it. This shows that justification can be determined by factors external to the believer.

Which of the following is a common objection to externalism?

  1. The regress argument

  2. The lottery paradox

  3. The Gettier problem

  4. The Münchhausen trilemma


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The regress argument is a common objection to externalism. It argues that if justification can be determined by factors external to the believer, then those factors must also be justified. This leads to an infinite regress of justification, which is impossible.

What is the peer disagreement argument?

  1. An argument that challenges the internalist account of justification.

  2. An argument that challenges the externalist account of justification.

  3. An argument that challenges the coherentist account of justification.

  4. An argument that challenges the foundationalist account of justification.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The peer disagreement argument is an argument that challenges the internalist account of justification. It argues that we can be justified in believing something even if our peers disagree with us. This shows that justification can be determined by factors external to the believer.

Which of the following is a common argument for reliabilism?

  1. The lottery paradox

  2. The Gettier problem

  3. The Münchhausen trilemma

  4. The defeasibility argument


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The defeasibility argument is a common argument for reliabilism. It argues that a belief is justified if it is formed by a reliable process, even if it is later defeated by new evidence. This shows that justification can be determined by factors external to the believer.

What is the virtue theory of justification?

  1. A theory of justification that holds that a belief is justified if it is formed by a virtuous person.

  2. A theory of justification that holds that a belief is justified if it is coherent with the believer's other beliefs.

  3. A theory of justification that holds that a belief is justified if it is reliable.

  4. A theory of justification that holds that a belief is justified if it is self-evident or indubitable.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The virtue theory of justification is a theory of justification that holds that a belief is justified if it is formed by a virtuous person. Virtuous people are those who are disposed to form true beliefs and avoid false beliefs.

Which of the following is a common objection to the virtue theory of justification?

  1. The regress argument

  2. The lottery paradox

  3. The Gettier problem

  4. The Münchhausen trilemma


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The regress argument is a common objection to the virtue theory of justification. It argues that if a belief is justified because it is formed by a virtuous person, then the virtue of that person must also be justified. This leads to an infinite regress of justification, which is impossible.

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