Dretske’s Semantic Externalism Account and Its Problems

Abstract

In this paper, I provide Fred Dretske’s semantic externalism thesis. He uses his thesis to propose a higher-order theory account of metacognition, that is, how do we know that we are not zombies? Then I provide Michael Potter’s views on the problem of mathematical knowledge. Using Potter’s work, I show that mathematical concepts like numbers escape the conditions on which semantic externalism is propounded. Furthermore, I argue that the evidence that our mind can understand and formulate mathematical concepts like abstract numbers and geometry shows that the metacognition in humans might be reflexive in nature. If not, then the higher-order theory account provided by Dretske needs revision or some additional explanation to accommodate mathematical knowledge.

Keywords: semantic externalism, mathematical knowledge, representation, metacognition