Single Idea 3590

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

Full Idea

Coherence theory implicitly assigns the criteria of coherence a special status. …In so far as this status is assigned a priori, the coherence theory represents a rationalistic variant of foundationalism.

Gist of Idea

Coherence theory must give a foundational status to coherence itself

Source

Michael Williams (Problems of Knowledge [2001], Ch.11)

Book Reference

Williams,Michael: 'Problems of Knowledge' [OUP 2001], p.135


A Reaction

Nice move, to accuse coherence theorists of foundationalism! Wrong, though, because the a priori principles of coherence are not basic beliefs, but evolved pragmatic procedures (or something...).