The CEU Philosophy Department cordially invites you to a talk
by
Åsa Wikforss (Stockholm University, Sweden)
on
'Types of Externalism and Self-Knowledge'
Tuesday, 14 November, 5.00 PM ,
Philosophy Department
Zrinyi str. 14 /room 412
Abstract:
In the paper I distinguish two central types of externalism that are often conflated, what
I call foundational externalism and externalist semantics. I argue that the failure to pay
attention to this distinction has caused much confusion, in particular when it comes to
the topic of self-knowledge. To illustrate this, I focus on one of the arguments intended
to show the incompatibility of externalism and self-knowledge: McKinsey's reductio
argument. More precisely, I consider the question whether externalism implies that
thinking thoughts about natural kinds, such as Water is wet, requires that there are
instances of the kind in the individual's environment. I suggest that, contrary to
received opinion the standard versions of externalism do not support the conclusion that
the presence of water constitutes a necessary condition for thinking thoughts about water.
I end by suggesting what I take to be the real problem underlying the debate over
self-knowledge and externalism - the assumption of incomplete understanding.
Kriszta Biber
Department Coordinator
Philosophy Department
Tel: 36-1-327-3806
Fax: 36-1-327-3072
E-mail: biberk(a)ceu.hu