externalism
Very Low (Academic/Philosophical)Formal, Academic, Philosophical
Definition
Meaning
The philosophical doctrine that things and events exist independently of any observing mind or consciousness; the quality of being external to the mind.
Excessive concern with outward appearances, actions, or material aspects at the expense of inward significance, thought, or spirituality. In the philosophy of mind, it is the theory that mental states are determined by factors external to the individual.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term has a specific, technical meaning in philosophy (especially epistemology and philosophy of mind) and a more general, sometimes pejorative meaning when used outside philosophy to denote superficiality.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning. Slight preference for '-ise' spelling ('externalise') in related verb forms in the UK vs. '-ize' in the US.
Connotations
In both varieties, it is a highly specialised term. Its negative connotation (superficiality) is rare and largely archaic.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general usage in both regions, confined almost exclusively to academic philosophy and related texts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[subject] advocates/rejects externalismexternalism about [object, e.g., mental content]the externalism of [possessor, e.g., Putnam's theory]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None directly associated with this specific term]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Primary domain. Used in philosophy papers and discussions on epistemology, philosophy of mind, and metaphysics to denote theories where justification or mental content depends on external factors.
Everyday
Extremely rare. If used, likely misunderstood.
Technical
Specific technical term within analytic philosophy.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Philosophers often externalise mental content in these theories.
- The argument seeks to externalise the grounds of justification.
American English
- His theory externalizes meaning to the environment.
- They externalize epistemic responsibility.
adverb
British English
- He argued externalistically about mental states.
- The problem is framed quite externalistically.
American English
- She thinks externalistically about linguistic meaning.
- The concept is defined externalistically.
adjective
British English
- His externalist account of knowledge is influential.
- The externalist viewpoint challenges traditional introspection.
American English
- She holds an externalist position in semantics.
- Externalist arguments rely on thought experiments.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- [Not applicable for this level]
- [Rarely encountered at this level]
- The philosopher's lecture introduced the basic idea of externalism versus internalism.
- In simple terms, externalism suggests our thoughts depend partly on the world outside us.
- Putnam's Twin Earth thought experiment is a foundational argument for semantic externalism.
- Epistemological externalism posits that factors external to the believer's perspective can contribute to justification.
- Critics of externalism argue it neglects the first-person, conscious aspect of mental life.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of EXTERNAL-ISM: a belief system (-ISM) focused on what is EXTERNAL to the self or mind.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWING/THINKING IS SEEING OUTWARD (contrasted with 'looking inward').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with экстернат (внешнесть), which is broader. The philosophical term is often translated as экстернализм. The negative, archaic sense might be translated as поверхностность, сверхжизненность.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing it with 'externalisation' (a psychological or economic process).
- Using it as a synonym for 'superficiality' in modern general writing.
- Misspelling as 'externalisim' or 'externism'.
Practice
Quiz
In a non-philosophical, archaic sense, 'externalism' could be criticised as:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. Realism is a broader metaphysical position about the mind-independent existence of the world. Externalism is a more specific thesis about the nature of mental states or justification, often (but not necessarily) allied with realism.
Yes. Hilary Putnam's 'Twin Earth' thought experiment argues that the meaning of the word 'water' is not just in our heads but depends on the external substance (H2O vs. XYZ) in our environment, supporting semantic externalism.
No. It is a highly specialised term used almost exclusively in academic philosophy. An average native speaker is very unlikely to know or use it.
The direct opposite is internalism, which holds that all factors relevant to justification (in epistemology) or content (in philosophy of mind) are internal to the individual's mind or perspective.