Theories of knowledge 1:00 class
Wednesday, May 15th 2002
Jazpur Leigh

Coherentism: a belief is justified if it coheres with (is consistent with) other beliefs a person has. Knowledge is a system of mutually supporting beliefs. The justification of any single belief is a function of its role in the system as a whole.

Strange noise in the middle of the night Example: at first - burglar!... justified?
-remembers his cat likes to get rambunctious in the wee hours.
-a burglar would make heavier and more regular noises.
Sherlock Holmes finds the best explanation for data.

Advantages:
1.more in step w/ experience. Now we actually justify beliefs in practice.
2.solves regress problem.
3.easier to justify religious beliefs.
4.easier to justify beliefs in general
5.in accord with scientific method.
-rejection of cold fusion-

Objections
1.can cause close-mindedness. Dogmatic attitude- possible to explain away any conflicting evidence by adjusting belief system. Tendency to reject contrary evidence and accept confirming evidence-irrational bias. Big problem with religion. E.G. Clarence Thomas-Anita Hill.

2.Martin Luther King Plagiarism.
Doesn't connect our beliefs with the external world.