externalist theories

Externalist theories of mind and knowledge suggest that the contents of our thoughts and what we know depend not only on our internal mental states but also on factors external to us, like our environment and surrounding context. For example, our access to information or the way our beliefs are justified can rely on external cues, such as an outside expert's testimony or a written record. Essentially, externalism emphasizes that understanding or knowledge is partly shaped by the world around us, not just what’s happening inside our minds.