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The University of Southampton
PhilosophyPart of Humanities

Justification - Coherentism

Coherentism is the most common alternative to foundationalism.

According to coherentists, all beliefs are justified in virtue of belonging to a coherent system of beliefs which are mutually supporting, where none of these beliefs are ultimate foundations for the others.

An important problem for coherentism is the input or isolation objection. It is easy to imagine a perfectly coherent system of beliefs that float entirely free of experience. Yet surely not just any coherent system of beliefs, no matter how at odds with experience, is justified. Although some coherentists believe this objection can be answered, others are led to search for a compromise between coherentism and foundationalism.

How do you think coherentists should respond?

1. Perhaps you agree that a compromise view would be best.

2. Or perhaps you maintain that coherence alone can make our beliefs justified.

CompromiseCoherence alone
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