Single Idea 10340

[catalogued under 13. Knowledge Criteria / B. Internal Justification / 5. Coherentism / c. Coherentism critique]

Full Idea

Individualistic versions of coherentism assume that a belief is justified if it fits with all, or most, of my contemporaneous beliefs. But who has access to that totality? Who can judge my assessment? From what position could it be judged?

Gist of Idea

Individualistic coherentism lacks access to all of my beliefs, or critical judgement of my assessment

Source

Martin Kusch (Knowledge by Agreement [2002], Ch. 8)

Book Reference

Kusch,Martin: 'Knowledge by Agreement' [OUP 2004], p.99


A Reaction

[compressed] Though I agree with Kusch on the social aspect of coherence, I don't think these are major criticisms. Who can access, or critically evaluate a society's body of supposedly coherent beliefs? We just do our best.