Abstract: Memory has traditionally been viewed as a preservative source, in the sense that it cannot generate new justification. In recent years, however, this traditional view has been challenged, and a position known as “generationism” has gradually gained prominence. Generationists have provided a variety of arguments for the view that memory can generate new justification. This paper reviews the main generationist arguments, as well as the objections that they face. Tracing the development of generationism through two “waves”, it lays the groundwork for an assessment of competing forms of generationism.

Key Words: Generationism; Preservationism; Memory; Epistemology