Single Idea 6353

[catalogued under 13. Knowledge Criteria / B. Internal Justification / 4. Foundationalism / b. Basic beliefs]

Full Idea

We argue that all foundations theories are false, for the simple reason that people rarely have any epistemological basic beliefs, and never have enough to provide a foundation for the rest of our knowledge.

Gist of Idea

People rarely have any basic beliefs, and never enough for good foundations

Source

J Pollock / J Cruz (Contemporary theories of Knowledge (2nd) [1999], §1.5.3)

Book Reference

Pollock,J.L./Cruz,J: 'Contemporary Theories of Knowledge (2nd)' [Rowman and Littlefield 1999], p.25


A Reaction

Once surprising things start to happen in a film, we rapidly jettison our normal basic beliefs, to be ready for surprises. However, it seems to me that quite a lot of beliefs are hard-wired into us, or inescapably arise from the use of our senses.