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Single Idea 8616

[from 'Non-foundationalist epistemology' by Catherine Z. Elgin, in 2. Reason / A. Nature of Reason / 6. Coherence ]

Full Idea

How can multiple statements, none of which is tenable, conjoin to yield a tenable conclusion? How can their relation to other less than tenable enhance their tenability?

Gist of Idea

How can multiple statements, none of which is tenable, conjoin to yield a tenable conclusion?

Source

Catherine Z. Elgin (Non-foundationalist epistemology [2005], p.157)

Book Reference

'Contemporary Debates in Epistemology', ed/tr. Steup,M/Sosa,E [Blackwell 2005], p.157


A Reaction

Her example is witnesses to a crime. Bayes Theorem appears to deal with individual items. "The thief had green hair" becomes more likely with multiple testimony. This is a very persuasive first step towards justification as coherence.