Barry Stroud on Skepticism: The Problem of the External World

In this session, we’ll explore Barry Stroud’s influential essay The Problem of the External World. Stroud examines one of philosophy’s most persistent questions: how can we know anything about the world beyond our own experiences.

Building on classic skeptical arguments (like the possibility that we might be dreaming), Stroud challenges our assumptions about knowledge, certainty, and reality. Rather than offering a simple solution, he reveals why skepticism is so difficult to fully answer, and why it continues to trouble philosophers today.

We’ll discuss questions such as

• Can we really know that the external world exists?
• How do skeptical scenarios (like dreaming) challenge knowledge?
• Is it possible to refute skepticism, or only live with it?

📄 Free reading (PDF excerpt) - First 10 pages
The Problem of the External World by Barry Stroud

Looking forward to seeing you!