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Single Idea 8801

[from 'Coherence Theory of Truth and Knowledge' by Donald Davidson, in 13. Knowledge Criteria / B. Internal Justification / 5. Coherentism / a. Coherence as justification ]

Full Idea

What distinguishes a coherence theory of justification is simply the claim that nothing can count as a reason for holding a belief except another belief.

Gist of Idea

Coherent justification says only beliefs can be reasons for holding other beliefs

Source

Donald Davidson (Coherence Theory of Truth and Knowledge [1983], p.156)

Book Reference

'Epistemology - An Anthology', ed/tr. Sosa,E. /Kim,J. [Blackwell 2000], p.156


A Reaction

I think I agree fully with this. Red patches and headaches I count as evidence rather than as reasons. Since a red patch can be hallucinatory, and a headache can be dreamed, they can't possibly embody true propositions without critical evaluation.