Epistemic Justification: Foundationalism vs Coherentism
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Questions and Answers

What does Roderick Chisholm suggest is a likely behavior of rational beings regarding claims?

  • They will only accept claims backed by empirical evidence.
  • They will justify every claim indefinitely.
  • They will never question their basic beliefs.
  • They will seek a proper stopping place for justifications. (correct)

    • What does Timothy McGrew argue about basic claims?

  • Basic claims depend solely on empirical validation.
  • Basic claims require no prior justification. (correct)
  • All claims can be justified through endless reasoning.
  • Justification must always be logically deductive.

    • According to Anthony Quinton, what must exist for any beliefs to be justified?

  • Terminal beliefs that do not rely on other beliefs. (correct)
  • A scientific consensus supporting the beliefs.
  • A series of rational arguments leading to each belief.
  • Interpersonal agreement amongst rational beings.

    • What is the main idea behind Quine's holistic coherence theory?

    <p>All statements about the external world are justified only as a collective.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a primary characteristic of Classical Foundationalism (CF)?

    <p>It holds that some beliefs are self-warranting and incorrigible.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Descartes' passage indicate about the nature of certainty and perception?

    <p>Perception can be false despite being certain.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does W.V.O. Quine imply about the empirical significance of statements?

    <p>The significance of statements is determined by their collective coherence.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the central argument for foundationalism?

    <p>The infinite regress argument</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Chisholm argue regarding basic empirical states?

    <p>They are better expressed as 'I am being appeared to'.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the fundamental concept of Classical Foundationalism in relation to certainty?

    <p>Certainties are the base for understanding probabilities.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What reflection does Wittgenstein offer about well-founded beliefs?

    <p>They sometimes rest on beliefs that are not well-founded.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a key tenet of coherentism?

    <p>All empirical beliefs derive their justification from other empirical beliefs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What issue does Chisholm identify regarding the transmission of justification?

    <p>It poses challenges to understanding basic beliefs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to coherentism, how should an empirical belief be justified?

    <p>It must fit into a consistent belief system.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does Dancy view the relationship between incorrigibility and the content of beliefs?

    <p>Minimal content reduces potential errors and increases incorrigibility.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which term refers to a belief that is impossible to prove mistaken?

    <p>Incorrigible</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one implication of the view that justification must be logically deducted according to Classical Foundationalism?

    <p>There is a strict hierarchy in the justification of beliefs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    If a belief is described as indubitable, what does that imply?

    <p>It cannot be doubted.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does coherentism deny regarding basic empirical beliefs?

    <p>There are privileged basic empirical beliefs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What example does Tim McGrew use to highlight incorrigible beliefs?

    <p>I am experiencing a headache.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Triplett suggest about belief revision in coherentism?

    <p>It must come from within the system.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which philosopher's view aligns with foundationalism as presented in the content?

    <p>Roderick Chisholm</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'irrefutable' signify in the context of belief?

    <p>It cannot be negated by any argument.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Bonjour's shift in perspective reflect after his conversion?

    <p>An endorsement of incorrigible basic beliefs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What philosophical position does Descartes strongly associate with?

    <p>Classical Foundationalism</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT an example given to illustrate a good belief system?

    <p>Consulting horoscopes for marriage decisions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a characteristic of 'thin basics' as discussed by Dancy?

    <p>They have minimal content leading to less risk of error.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does it mean if something is said to be 'unreliable'?

    <p>It is not capable of being depended upon.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the 'regress problem' refer to in the context of foundationalism?

    <p>The challenge of justifying beliefs without infinite justification.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which phrase captures the essence of the Cartesian basic empirical beliefs?

    <p>Perception through senses dictates reality.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does coherence play in coherentism?

    <p>It connects beliefs into a supportive system.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What criticism has Classical Foundationalism faced due to its claims?

    <p>It opens itself to traditional philosophical attacks.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is foundationalism primarily concerned with?

    <p>The existence of basic and inferentially justified beliefs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes a basic empirical belief?

    <p>A self-warranting belief that does not require further justification</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to foundationalism, inferentially justified beliefs derive their justification from what?

    <p>Basic empirical beliefs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is a known classical foundationalist?

    <p>David Hume</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes the justificatory relations in foundationalism according to Timm Triplett?

    <p>They are linear and one-directional</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of foundationalism?

    <p>Beliefs must be coherent with one another</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an example of an inferentially justified belief described in foundationalism?

    <p>If I do not bring in the lawn chairs, the cushions will be soaked.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of foundational beliefs in foundationalism?

    <p>They provide ultimate justification for other empirical beliefs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is suggested as a requirement for terminal beliefs in the context of justification?

    <p>They need not be strictly self-evident.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes weak foundationalism from strong foundationalism?

    <p>Weak foundationalism makes more modest claims.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the discussed foundationalist theories, beliefs about which aspects are particularly challenging to justify?

    <p>Current material surroundings and future predictions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do modest theories of foundationalism aim to achieve in regards to traditional arguments against foundationalism?

    <p>They aim to present arguments that may withstand traditional critiques.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do some statements require to have initial credibility according to Goodman, as quoted in the context of modest foundationalism?

    <p>They must have some level of initial credibility.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one consequence mentioned regarding the reduction of content needed for incorrigibility?

    <p>It limits the ability to justify beliefs about unobserved events.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do recent foundationalists view the strength of traditional foundationalism?

    <p>They believe it is too strong and requires modification.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common view regarding the justification of beliefs held by modest foundationalists?

    <p>They should not depend on other beliefs for justification.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Epistemic Justification

    • This week's lectures focus on epistemic justification of empirical knowledge claims.
    • Two main contenders are foundationalism and coherentism.
    • Foundationalism proposes knowledge is based on foundational beliefs.
    • Coherentism suggests knowledge components interrelate in a coherent system.

    Foundationalism

    • Basic empirical beliefs are self-warranting.

    • These beliefs do not derive justification from other beliefs.

    • Other empirical beliefs derive justification from basic beliefs or other non-basic beliefs.

    • Basic beliefs are 'inferentially justified', or 'non-basic' beliefs.

    • All justified empirical beliefs fit into either basic or inferentially justified categories.

    Coherentism

    • No privileged empirical basic beliefs exist.
    • All empirical justification is inferred, linking beliefs to form a cohesive system.
    • Justified beliefs fit into a cohesive system and don't contradict each other.

    Regress Problem (IRA)

    • The infinite regress argument (IRA) is a foundationalism critique.
    • The problem arises when seeking justification for a belief.
    • There is either an infinite regress of justifications or circular justifications, invalidating the belief.
    • Foundationalism argues that this regress needs an endpoint (basic beliefs) to avoid problems.

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    Description

    This quiz explores the concepts of epistemic justification in empirical knowledge, focusing on foundationalism and coherentism. Dive into the differences between self-warranting basic beliefs and the interconnected nature of beliefs in a coherent system. Test your understanding of these foundational theories of knowledge.

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