Single Idea 6363

[catalogued under 13. Knowledge Criteria / B. Internal Justification / 4. Foundationalism / f. Foundationalism critique]

Full Idea

Either no belief is prima facie justified or all beliefs are prima facie justified; …we regard this as a decisive refutation of foundationalism.

Clarification

'Prima facie' means 'at first glance'

Gist of Idea

Foundationalism is wrong, because either all beliefs are prima facie justified, or none are

Source

J Pollock / J Cruz (Contemporary theories of Knowledge (2nd) [1999], §2.5.5)

Book Reference

Pollock,J.L./Cruz,J: 'Contemporary Theories of Knowledge (2nd)' [Rowman and Littlefield 1999], p.65


A Reaction

The full text must he examined, but it is not at all clear to me how my belief that quantum theory is correct could be even remotely as prima facie justified as my belief that this is my hand. I don't think basic beliefs need be sharply divided off.