3/13/02

Today:Foundationism (Ch. 6)
Wed: Coheranism (Ch. 7)
Fri: Externalism & Reliablism (Ch. 8)

above: theories of justification

Monday exam 2 begins
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Foundationism
A belief is justified if it can be derived from a special class of self justifying beliefs

infinite ->->->C->B->A

Pojman: Requires an actually infinite set of beliefs to be justified.

Maybe it's only necessary to be able to proceed with justification to infinite...we stop where it's practical.

B(unjustified) -> A(justified)

if circle is big enough it provides justification.

A
^
B foundational belief (properly basic)

classical foundationlism

properly basic beliefs are self evident

Rationalist: logic + math
Emperisist: above plus evident to senses

Basic belief: not based on other belief

examples:

It's good to be happy
2+2=4

Properly basic: justifiably based on any other belief

basic but not proper
"Fidel Castro is a great man"
Falliblism: complex logical+mathematical truths and senses can turn out to be false.

examples:

cold mistaken for heat
mistake tickling for pain