Uploaded September 2022 | Updated September 2026, 8 hours ago
Is evidentialism true?
Evidentialism is the view that evidence alone determines rational belief. Recently, several rivals to evidentialism have been defended, including pragmatic and moral encroachment, epistemic partiality, and practical and moral reasons for belief. Call these rivals “impurist” views. While impurist views have both compelling cases and interesting arguments in their favor, they also face a number of serious challenges. In this paper, I explain three of the most important challenges to impurism. Then I argue that, by embracing epistemic permissivism, impurists can hold onto what’s central to their views while dealing with all three of these challenges. Finally, I suggest that the evidentialist should also embrace permissivism, as it helps them better respond to the most compelling considerations in favor of impurism.
Download my handout here: liz-jackson.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Handout.pdf
For an introductory video to evidentialism, see here: youtu.be/ZgJ3hDk0-V0
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Check out my website: liz-jackson.com
For more on my research: liz-jackson.com/research
For popular-level interviews, podcasts, and blog posts I’ve done: http://liz-jackson.com/public-philoso...
Follow me on social media:
Twitter: twitter.com/lizjackson111
Instagram: instagram.com/lizjackson111
Facebook: facebook.com/lizjackson111
Is evidentialism true?
Evidentialism is the view that evidence alone determines rational belief. Recently, several rivals to evidentialism have been defended, including pragmatic and moral encroachment, epistemic partiality, and practical and moral reasons for belief. Call these rivals “impurist” views. While impurist views have both compelling cases and interesting arguments in their favor, they also face a number of serious challenges. In this paper, I explain three of the most important challenges to impurism. Then I argue that, by embracing epistemic permissivism, impurists can hold onto what’s central to their views while dealing with all three of these challenges. Finally, I suggest that the evidentialist should also embrace permissivism, as it helps them better respond to the most compelling considerations in favor of impurism.
Download my handout here: liz-jackson.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Handout.pdf
For an introductory video to evidentialism, see here: youtu.be/ZgJ3hDk0-V0
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Check out my website: liz-jackson.com
For more on my research: liz-jackson.com/research
For popular-level interviews, podcasts, and blog posts I’ve done: http://liz-jackson.com/public-philoso...
Follow me on social media:
Twitter: twitter.com/lizjackson111
Instagram: instagram.com/lizjackson111
Facebook: facebook.com/lizjackson111
