Internalists

Internalists are individuals, or schools of thought, who believe that the primary source of motivation, meaning, knowledge, or justification lies within an individual's mind or cognitive processes, or within the structures or principles inherent to a given subject or system. In ethics, they might argue that moral judgment stems from internal feelings or rational analysis. In epistemology, they might assert that knowledge is justified by internal coherence or introspective certainty. Internalists typically emphasize the subjective experience, innate factors, and logical consistency as central to their understanding. This contrasts with externalists, who emphasize external factors and influences.

Internalists meaning with examples

• The ethical internalist argues that moral motivation arises from our internal desires and beliefs, not solely from external rewards or punishments. They might believe that actions are moral because they are intrinsically desirable. This contrasts with the externalist view that morality stems from societal norms. This perspective prioritizes individual conviction.
• In the philosophy of mind, some Internalists propose that our mental states are determined solely by our internal brain states, while externalists consider environmental factors. This debate centers on the nature of consciousness. This focuses on how the external world shapes our perception. Internalists often prioritize cognitive mechanisms.
• Epistemological Internalists claim that justification for our beliefs must be based on factors accessible to our conscious awareness. These may include logical consistency, introspection, or reflection. This view holds that knowledge is determined internally. Externalists, by contrast, might appeal to external factors, such as reliable processes.
• Within debates surrounding language acquisition, certain Internalists theorize that humans are born with innate linguistic structures or capabilities (e.g., universal grammar). This allows children to quickly learn any language. This perspective considers biological, cognitive, or psychological foundations of the language system.