Epistemology Flashcards: Justification Structure

Questions and Answers

Explain how one can be aware of a current sensation without comparing it to other sensations.

One can be directly and simply aware of some things without making comparative judgments, and before forming classes of sensations based on memory, one must first be aware of individual sensations.

Thinking is limited to language.

False

What is the All Perception Is Theory Laden argument?

The argument claims that all perception is theory laden and that there are no basic sensory experiences or uninterpreted data.

What do coherentists claim foundationalists have not clarified?

Foundationalists have not clarified how basic beliefs transfer justification to nonbasic beliefs. Signup and view all the answers

What is the essence of coherentism?

The essence of coherentism is that there are no asymmetries between basic and nonbasic beliefs; all beliefs derive justification from their coherence with other beliefs. Signup and view all the answers

What is the doxastic assumption?

The doxastic assumption states that the sole factor that justifies a belief is the other beliefs that a person holds. Signup and view all the answers

Can foundationalism entertain both externalism and internalism?

Yes, foundationalism can entertain both externalism and internalism. Signup and view all the answers

What divides coherentists about their views?

Coherentists are divided about what coherence itself amounts to. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes positive coherentism from negative coherentism?

Positive coherentism grants justification when a belief coheres with others, while negative coherentism holds that a belief is unjustified if it fails to cohere. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between weak and strong coherentism?

Weak coherentism allows coherence as one determinant of justification, while strong coherentism asserts that coherence is the sole determinant. Signup and view all the answers

How does linear coherentism justify beliefs?

Linear coherentism justifies beliefs through a linear chain where beliefs justify one another. Signup and view all the answers

What is a serious criticism against strong coherence theories?

One criticism is its reliance on circularity and implausibility in the transfer of justification between beliefs. Signup and view all the answers

How do coherentists respond to the isolation problem?

Some abandon a correspondence theory of truth and introduce a coherence theory of truth, suggesting truth is a member of a set of coherent propositions. Signup and view all the answers

What does noetic structure mean?

The entire set of propositions that some person, S, believes, together with the various epistemological relations among those beliefs and S. Signup and view all the answers

What is foundationalism and coherentism?

Normative theories about how a noetic structure ought to be structured for justified beliefs. Signup and view all the answers

We call a chain of beliefs like P, Q, and R where P is justified on the basis of Q, and Q on the basis of R an ______.

epistemic chain Signup and view all the answers

What are the options for grounding an epistemic chain of beliefs?

Infinite regress, brute faith assumption, self-justified belief, or circular/web justification. Signup and view all the answers

What is the distinction between a sensation and a belief?

A sensation is a nonpropositional experience, while a belief includes the acceptance of a proposition. Signup and view all the answers

What two types of beliefs do foundationalists believe in?

Properly basic beliefs and nonbasic beliefs. Signup and view all the answers

According to classical foundationalism, only ______ should be allowed in the foundations.

sensory beliefs or beliefs about the truths of reason Signup and view all the answers

What is the distinction between ancient and modern classical foundationalism?

Ancient classical foundationalism values sensory beliefs, while modern classical foundationalism values self-presenting properties. Signup and view all the answers

How does strong foundationalism and weak foundationalism differ?

Strong foundationalism claims foundational beliefs are infallible, while weak foundationalism claims they are merely prima facie justified. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between internalist and externalist foundationalists?

Internalists believe justification conditions are internal to the knower, while externalists believe they are not. Signup and view all the answers

What are the three important issues regarding the relationship between basic and nonbasic beliefs?

Irreflexivity and asymmetry of the basing relation, strength of the relation, and coherence. Signup and view all the answers

What are arguments for foundationalism?

Foundationalism allows experience to contribute to justification, unlike coherentism. Signup and view all the answers

How do coherentists respond to foundationalist arguments?

Coherentists claim that all sensation is theory-laden, affirming that beliefs must precede sensory experiences. Signup and view all the answers

What is the regress argument?

The regress argument discusses the validity of epistemic chains and critiques circular or infinite justifications. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main objection to classical foundationalism?

The claim that there are no incorrigible (or infallible) beliefs. Signup and view all the answers

How does a foundationalist respond to the objection to classical foundationalism?

Some accept weak foundationalism; others reassert the existence of incorrigible beliefs based on self-presenting properties. Signup and view all the answers

What counterexamples do critics offer against incorrigibility?

Beliefs may require general concepts, mastery of language, or can be monitored externally. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Epistemology: The Structure of Justification

Noetic Structure: Refers to the complete set of propositions that an individual believes, including their interrelations and the individual's relation to these beliefs.
Foundationalism vs. Coherentism: Foundationalism posits that some beliefs are fundamentally justified without further justification, while coherentism maintains that beliefs derive their justification from their coherence with other beliefs.
Epistemic Chain: A sequence of beliefs where each belief is justified by the preceding one, forming a hierarchical structure.
Grounding Epistemic Chains:
- Infinite regress (justification leading endlessly backward) is often rejected.
- Stopping at an unjustified brute assumption undermines justification.
- Foundationalists argue some beliefs (R) are justified independently, perhaps due to self-evidence or sensory experience.
- Coherentists argue for mutual justification where beliefs support one another.
Sensation vs. Belief: Sensations are nonpropositional experiences, while beliefs involve the acceptance of propositions, where sensations do not require reflective thought, but beliefs do.
Types of Beliefs in Foundationalism: Distinction between properly basic beliefs (immediately justified) and nonbasic beliefs, with implications for their justification.
Classical Foundationalism: Restricts foundational beliefs to sensory and rational truths, while other foundationalists may include moral and theological beliefs as foundational.
Ancient vs. Modern Classical Foundationalism:
- Ancient thinkers (e.g., Aristotle, Aquinas) emphasize evident sensory beliefs about the external world.
- Modern thinkers focus on self-presenting beliefs about psychological states or modes of consciousness.
Strong vs. Weak Foundationalism: Strong foundationalism holds foundational beliefs as infallible and immune to doubt, while weak foundationalism considers them prima facie justified, allowing for fallibility.
Internalist vs. Externalist Foundationalists: Internalism maintains that justification comes from internal states or experiences, while externalism emphasizes factors outside the subject’s conscious access.
Basing Relation: The relationship between basic and nonbasic beliefs, characterized as irreflexive (no belief can base itself) and asymmetrical (A based on B does not imply B is based on A).
Coherence in Justification: Incoherent belief sets count against justification, while coherent belief sets can enhance the justification of individual beliefs.
Arguments for Foundationalism: Foundationalism incorporates experience into justification, accounts for the psychological priority of sensory experiences, and supports a priori knowledge like self-evident truths.
Coherentist Rebuttals: Coherentists argue against foundationalist claims about the role of experience, asserting that experience is always theory-laden and contingent upon coherent beliefs.
Regress Argument: Explores the implications of epistemic chains, underscoring foundationalism as avoiding circularity compared to coherentism.
Objections to Foundationalism: Critics argue there are no incorrigible beliefs, challenging the notion that some beliefs are infallible.
Responses to Objections: Foundationalists may adopt weak foundationalism or reaffirm the existence of incorrigible beliefs, addressing potential errors in self-perception.
Challenges to Incorrigibility:
- Some argue language is necessary for describing sensations, implying reliance on prior experiences.
- Critics use physiological evidence to question the trustworthiness of self-reported sensations.
Defense Against Regressive Justification: Foundationalists assert that direct awareness of sensations allows for immediate belief formation without comparative judgments.
Language and Thought: The argument that thinking is limited to language is critiqued as it overlooks non-verbal thought capability in humans and animals.
Distinction in Belief Types: True belief about sensations may not require linguistic articulation, allowing for incorrigibility independent of potential misreporting through language.### Incorrigibility of Perception
Belief in one's sensory experience is considered incorrigible and should not be dismissed by scientific monitors.
Monitors rely on correlating brain activity with subjective feelings; undermining the subject's experience undermines the monitor itself.

All Perception is Theory Laden

All perceptions are influenced by underlying theories; there are no purely basic sensory experiences.
Beliefs are interconnected within theoretical networks, thus no perceptual belief is entirely immune to error.

Critique of Foundationalism

Foundationalists struggle to clarify how basic beliefs transfer justification to nonbasic beliefs.
Actual foundational beliefs may be too limited to adequately support a comprehensive system of justified beliefs.

Essence of Coherentism

Coherentism asserts equality between basic and nonbasic beliefs, emphasizing coherence among beliefs as the primary source of justification.

Doxastic Assumption

The doxastic assumption holds that the justification for a belief comes exclusively from other beliefs a person holds.

Foundationalism vs. Coherentism

Foundationalism can incorporate both externalism and internalism, whereas coherentism is inherently internalist.

Coherentism's Division

Coherentists, like foundationalists, are divided on defining coherence and its role in justifying beliefs.

Positive vs. Negative Coherentism

Positive coherentism requires coherence with other beliefs for justification, while negative coherentism posits beliefs are justified unless proven otherwise.

Weak vs. Strong Coherentism

Weak coherentism sees coherence as one of multiple justification factors; strong coherentism claims coherence is the sole determinant.

Linear vs. Holistic Coherentism

Linear coherentism justifies beliefs in a sequential manner; holistic coherentism views justification as a web of mutual coherence across all beliefs.

Criticisms of Strong Coherence Theories

Issues include circularity in justification transfer and isolation from external reality.
Coherence theories may overlook sensory experiences as sources of justification.

Coherentists' Responses to Isolation Problem

Some reject a correspondence theory of truth in favor of coherence theory, making truth degree-dependent.
Others argue that the notion of an external world is theory-dependent; only various theoretical interpretations exist.
Acknowledgment that external factors influence belief formation, while maintaining that external reality does not provide direct justification for beliefs.

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Description

Explore key concepts about epistemology, including the noetic structure and the debate between foundationalism and coherentism. This quiz provides essential definitions and explanations that will deepen your understanding of how beliefs are justified. Perfect for students studying philosophy or those interested in the nature of knowledge.