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The Relationship Between Knowledge and Externalism

Description: This quiz will test your understanding of the relationship between knowledge and externalism.
Number of Questions: 5
Created by:
Tags: epistemology philosophy of knowledge externalism
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What is the main idea of externalism?

  1. Knowledge is independent of the knower's mental states.

  2. Knowledge is dependent on the knower's mental states.

  3. Knowledge is a social phenomenon.

  4. Knowledge is a product of evolution.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Externalism is the view that knowledge is not solely determined by the knower's mental states, but also by factors external to the knower, such as the environment or the social context.

Which of the following is an example of externalism?

  1. A person knows that the Earth is round because they have seen it from space.

  2. A person knows that 2 + 2 = 4 because they have memorized the multiplication table.

  3. A person knows that it is wrong to steal because they have been taught that it is wrong.

  4. A person knows that the sky is blue because they have seen it with their own eyes.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

This is an example of externalism because the person's knowledge is dependent on their experience of seeing the Earth from space, which is an external factor.

What is the main argument against externalism?

  1. Externalism is too vague and does not provide a clear account of what knowledge is.

  2. Externalism is incompatible with the idea that knowledge is a mental state.

  3. Externalism is circular because it relies on the concept of knowledge to define knowledge.

  4. Externalism is too narrow and does not allow for the possibility of non-propositional knowledge.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The main argument against externalism is that it is incompatible with the idea that knowledge is a mental state. This is because externalism claims that knowledge is independent of the knower's mental states, which means that it cannot be a mental state itself.

Which of the following is a response to the argument that externalism is incompatible with the idea that knowledge is a mental state?

  1. Externalism does not claim that knowledge is independent of the knower's mental states, but only that it is not solely determined by them.

  2. Externalism is compatible with the idea that knowledge is a mental state, but only if we understand mental states in a broad sense.

  3. Externalism is compatible with the idea that knowledge is a mental state, but only if we allow for the possibility of non-propositional knowledge.

  4. Externalism is compatible with the idea that knowledge is a mental state, but only if we allow for the possibility of external mental states.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

One response to the argument that externalism is incompatible with the idea that knowledge is a mental state is to argue that externalism does not claim that knowledge is independent of the knower's mental states, but only that it is not solely determined by them. This allows for the possibility that knowledge is a mental state, but that it is also influenced by external factors.

What is the main implication of externalism for the theory of knowledge?

  1. Externalism shows that knowledge is not as reliable as we thought.

  2. Externalism shows that knowledge is more reliable than we thought.

  3. Externalism shows that knowledge is not possible.

  4. Externalism shows that knowledge is a social phenomenon.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The main implication of externalism for the theory of knowledge is that knowledge is more reliable than we thought. This is because externalism allows for the possibility that knowledge can be acquired through non-mental means, such as perception and experience. These non-mental means of acquiring knowledge are often more reliable than mental means, such as reasoning and introspection.

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