Responses to External World Skepticism

These flashcards cover key concepts related to responses to external world skepticism, drawn from a comprehensive lecture discussing the exclusion argument and various philosophical replies.

Exclusion Argument

The central argument for skepticism regarding knowledge of the external world, asserting that to know a proposition, all possibilities incompatible with it must be ruled out.

Skeptical Scenarios

Hypothetical situations such as 'brain in a vat' or Descartes’ 'evil demon' that challenge our knowledge of the external world.

Causal Reply

A response to skepticism positing that experiences must have causes outside our minds, suggesting that external world knowledge is possible.

Reply from Science

An argument claiming that scientists infer knowledge of the external world from internal experiences, though often criticized as question-begging.

Ordinary Living Reply

A response highlighting the practical contradictions of skepticism, arguing that everyday actions presuppose some knowledge of the external world.

Lost Contrast Reply

Contends that skeptics lose meaning in asserting knowledge claims as they deny knowledge of the external world, thus making their argument nonsensical.

Overly High Standards Reply

Critique of the exclusion argument's first premise, suggesting it sets unrealistic requirements for knowledge by demanding the ruling out of all contradictory scenarios.

G.E. Moore

Philosopher who advocated for the importance of common sense beliefs in philosophical arguments, suggesting they should be favored over skeptical claims.

Justification for Knowledge

The concept that the standards for what constitutes justified belief should not require ruling out every possible skeptical scenario.

Gettier Problem

A philosophical problem concerning whether having justified true belief constitutes knowledge, typically discussed after skepticism.