Reliabilism
Overview
Reliabilism is an epistemological theory that posits that if one's belief is reliably produced, that is, it is produced by a process that generally produces true beliefs, then it is justified. This theory is a response to the traditional definition of knowledge as justified true belief, which was found to be inadequate due to the Gettier problem. Reliabilism, then, is a form of externalism, as it asserts that the justification of a belief depends on factors external to the believer, specifically the reliability of the process used to form the belief.
Historical Background
The concept of reliabilism has its roots in the work of philosophers such as Alvin Goldman and Robert Nozick, who were seeking to address the issues raised by the Gettier problem. This problem, first articulated by Edmund Gettier in 1963, challenged the traditional definition of knowledge as justified true belief by presenting scenarios in which a person could have a justified true belief that was not, in fact, knowledge.
The Theory of Reliabilism
Reliabilism proposes a solution to the Gettier problem by changing the focus from the justification of a belief to the reliability of the process by which it was formed. According to reliabilism, a belief is justified if it was formed by a reliable process, that is, a process that generally produces true beliefs. This shifts the focus from the internal mental states of the believer to the external factors that influence the formation of the belief.
Process Reliabilism
One of the main forms of reliabilism is process reliabilism, which focuses on the cognitive process that produces a belief. According to process reliabilism, a belief is justified if it is the result of a reliable cognitive process. This type of reliabilism is often associated with the work of Alvin Goldman, who argued that the reliability of a cognitive process is determined by the ratio of its true outputs to its total outputs.
Agent Reliabilism
Another form of reliabilism is agent reliabilism, which focuses on the reliability of the believer rather than the process. According to agent reliabilism, a belief is justified if it is held by a reliable believer, that is, a person who generally holds true beliefs. This form of reliabilism is often associated with the work of Robert Nozick, who argued that a person is a reliable believer if their belief-forming processes generally produce true beliefs.
Criticisms of Reliabilism
Despite its strengths, reliabilism has been subject to several criticisms. One of the most common criticisms is the generality problem, which questions how to define the reliability of a process. Another criticism is the new evil demon problem, which challenges the externalist nature of reliabilism by presenting scenarios in which a person could have reliable beliefs that are not true.
Conclusion
Reliabilism is a significant theory in contemporary epistemology, offering a novel approach to the concept of knowledge and belief justification. Despite its criticisms, it continues to be a subject of active philosophical discussion and research.