General Philosophy 5.4 Scepticism, Externalism and the Ethics of Belief
Nov 29, 2010
Dive into the intriguing world of knowledge and skepticism, where language and perception collide. Explore the brain in a vat thought experiment and its implications for what we think we know. The discussion highlights the challenges of absolute knowledge claims, while also examining Descartes' ideas around certainty. Discover the ethics of belief and why a balanced approach is essential in today's society, rather than complete suspension of belief. It's a thought-provoking ride through the philosophical landscape!
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Externalism Aligns With Ordinary Knowledge
- Knowledge can be understood in ordinary language without needing super-rational reflection.
- Externalism explains how non-experts, even animals, can have knowledge if their faculties reliably connect to truth.
Scepticism Persists Internally
- Externalism might answer scepticism from a God's eye view, but internal perspective scepticism remains.
- We cannot always know that we know, so sceptical challenges continue internally.
Brain in a Vat Hand Example
- Even if we are brains in vats, calling something a hand can legitimately refer to 'hand images'.
- This semantic approach challenges traditional skeptical doubts about the existence of real hands.