Internalists DO HaveA New Evil Demon Problem

Presented at Dalhousie University Philosophy Colloquium

1/17/2014

Purpose of Powerpoint

To give you the big picture dialectic in which my paper takes place.

The Old Evil Demon Problem

The old evil demon problem, inspired by Rene Descartes, is as follows:

The Old Evil Demon Problem

The old evil demon problem, inspired by Rene Descartes, is as follows:1) We could be fooled by an evil demon2) If (2), then we can’t really know

anything.3) Therefore, we can’t really know anything.

• The old evil demon problem was an argument for skepticism.

• The old evil demon problem was an argument for skepticism.

• It claimed that we don’t have certain knowledge.

• The old evil demon problem was an argument for skepticism.

• It claimed that we don’t have certain knowledge.

• The new evil demon problem is about justified/rational belief.

Reliabilism

In 1979, Goldman published his classic paper “What is Justified Belief?”

Reliabilism

In 1979, Goldman published his classic paper “What is Justified Belief?”The view:S’s belief is justified iff the belief isformed by a reliable process.

Reliabilism

In 1979, Goldman published his classic paper “What is Justified Belief?”The view:S’s belief is justified iff the belief isformed by a reliable process.Reliable processes: vision, memory, induction

Reliabilism

In 1979, Goldman published his classic paper “What is Justified Belief?”The view:S’s belief is justified iff the belief isformed by a reliable process.Reliable processes: vision, memory, inductionUnreliable processes: wishful thinking, magic 8-balls, astrology.

Two Theoretical Benefits of Reliabilism

Two Theoretical Benefits of Reliabilism

• It does not overintellectualize justified belief.

Two Theoretical Benefits of Reliabilism

• It does not overintellectualize justified belief.

Two Theoretical Benefits of Reliabilism

• It does not overintellectualize justified belief.

• It explains the connection between epistemic justification and truth.

The New Evil Demon Problem

The New Evil Demon Problem

In 1984, Stewart Cohen published his paper, “Justification and Truth”.

The New Evil Demon Problem

In 1984, Stewart Cohen published his paper, “Justification and Truth”.Consider your beguiled twin whois fooled by a demon.

The New Evil Demon Problem

In 1984, Stewart Cohen published his paper, “Justification and Truth”.Consider your beguiled twin whois fooled by a demon.- Justified beliefs

The New Evil Demon Problem

In 1984, Stewart Cohen published his paper, “Justification and Truth”.Consider your beguiled twin whois fooled by a demon.- Justified beliefs- Unreliably formed beliefs.

The New Evil Demon Problem

In 1984, Stewart Cohen published his paper, “Justification and Truth”.Consider your beguiled twin whois fooled by a demon.- Justified beliefs- Unreliably formed beliefs.- It seems that all that matters for a belief’s

justification are internal states.

Internalism and Externalism

Internalism – justificational properties supervene on internal/mental properties.

Internalism and Externalism

Internalism – justificational properties supervene on internal/mental properties.Externalism – denial of internalism (i.e., some external properties make a difference to whether a belief is justified).

Internalism and Externalism

Internalism – justificational properties supervene on internal/mental properties.Externalism – denial of internalism (i.e., some external properties make a difference to whether a belief is justified).Externalists think that a belief’s being formed by a reliable process (Goldman)

Internalism and Externalism

Internalism – justificational properties supervene on internal/mental properties.Externalism – denial of internalism (i.e., some external properties make a difference to whether a belief is justified).Externalists think that a belief’s being formed by a reliable process (Goldman), a safe mechanism (Sosa),

Internalism and Externalism

Internalism – justificational properties supervene on internal/mental properties.Externalism – denial of internalism (i.e., some external properties make a difference to whether a belief is justified).Externalists think that a belief’s being formed by a reliable process (Goldman), a safe mechanism (Sosa), or properly functioning faculties (Bergmann), is relevant to justification.

For years, since 1984, the new evil demon problem has been considered to be one of the most serious objections to externalism.

For years, since 1984, the new evil demon problem has been considered to be one of the most serious objections to externalism.

It has also been one of the main arguments in favour of internalism.

The New Evil Demon Problem for Internalism

The New Evil Demon Problem for Internalism

In 2012, I publish a paper called“Three Forms of Internalism andthe New Evil Demon Problem.”

The New Evil Demon Problem for Internalism

In 2012, I publish a paper called“Three Forms of Internalism andthe New Evil Demon Problem.”I argue that the NEDP alsoapplies to all presentlyendorsed versions ofinternalism.

Reply to Me

In his forthcoming paper, “ANew Evil Demon? No ProblemFor Moderate Internalists,” andin his forthcoming bookEvidentialism and EpistemicJustification, Kevin McCainargues that I am wrong.

McCain’s paper will be published in Acta Analytica and I have been invited to reply to his paper.

McCain’s paper will be published in Acta Analytica and I have been invited to reply to his paper.

I am currently working on that reply, and that is where I am looking for feedback today.