EXTERNALISM AND ACTION-GUIDING EPISTEMIC NORMS

Author: JACOBSON S.¹

Source: Synthese, Volume 110, Number 3, March 1997 , pp. 343-355(13)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

In his book, Contemporary Theories of Knowledge, John Pollock argues that all externalist theories of justification should be rejected on the grounds that they do not do justice to the action-guiding character of epistemic norms. I reply that Pollock's argument is ineffective -- because not all externalisms are intended to involve action-guiding norms, and because Pollock does not give a good reason for thinking that action-guiding norms must be internalist norms. Second, I consider rehabilitating Pollock's argument by restricting his conclusion to theories that do involve action-guiding norms and providing a better reason to think that action-guiding norms must be internalist norms. But I claim that if Pollock's argument is made strong enough to rule out all externalisms, it rules out too much, namely, any plausible conception of epistemic norms.

Language: English

Document Type: Regular paper

Affiliations: 1: Department of Philosophy University of Vermont Burlington, VT 05401 U.S.A.

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