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Single Idea 2767

[from 'Intro to Contemporary Epistemology' by Jonathan Dancy, in 13. Knowledge Criteria / B. Internal Justification / 5. Coherentism / b. Pro-coherentism ]

Full Idea

If coherence is grounded in, and is trying to make sense of, a set of empirical propositions, this will eliminate some of the more fanciful sets of coherent propositions, such as the complete Sherlock Holmes stories.

Gist of Idea

If it is empirical propositions which have to be coherent, this eliminates coherent fiction

Source

Jonathan Dancy (Intro to Contemporary Epistemology [1985], 8.2)

Book Reference

Dancy,Jonathan: 'Introduction to Contemporary Epistemology' [Blackwell 1985], p.114


A Reaction

Interestingly, I suspect that embracing the coherence view of justification drives one back to empiricisim (pace Bonjour), because that is the most authoritative part of the pattern of beliefs.