On the “Arguments-On-Paper” View of Epistemic Justification

Kornlbith has argued against what he calls the “Arguments-on-Paper” view of epistemic justification. In this chapter I argue that what bothers Kornblith about the Arguments-on-Paper view is, deep down, its reliance on objective and necessary epistemic principles. Once we understand why Kornblith is opposed to this view, an illuminating contrast emerges between four different ways of thinking about epistemic justification: the Arguments-On-Paper view, Mad Dog Externalism, Fancy Externalism, and Ostrich Externalism. I argue that Kornblith's view is closer to Ostrich Externalism.