Philosophy
Internalism versus Externalism in Epistemic Justification
Quick fact
The term 'internalism' was first popularized by epistemologist William Alston in the 1980s, though the debate has roots in Descartes' requirement that justification be transparent to the subject.
Why this is interesting
You believe something because you have good reasons—but what makes a reason 'good'? Is it something you can reflect on inside your mind, or is it how the belief was formed in the world around you?