In a paper I’m currently writing I need to note the existence of each of the following, without any direct comment on them:

• Gettier’s argument that knowledge is not justified true belief
• Kripke’s argument that there are contingent a priori truths
• Evans’s distinction between deep and superficial contingency

Given none of them are been discussed in any detail, which of them need a citation? My first guess was no on Gettier, yes on Evans and maybe on Kripke. This suggests 30 years is about when philosophical views pass into common knowledge.

(Shouldn’t I cite everything? No – I wouldn’t dream of citing Einstein if I just noted the existence of relativity theory. The question is when, if ever, philosophical views acquire that status.)