reminder:invitation to a philosophy talk

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