Single Idea 3577

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

Full Idea

A strongly justificationist view of rationality may not be so rational; we want the truth, but avoiding all errors and maximising our number of true beliefs are not the same thing.

Gist of Idea

Strong justification eliminates error, but also reduces our true beliefs

Source

Michael Williams (Problems of Knowledge [2001], Ch. 7)

Book Reference

Williams,Michael: 'Problems of Knowledge' [OUP 2001], p.88


A Reaction

An interesting dilemma - to avoid all errors, believing nothing; to maximise true belief, believe everything. It is rational to follow intuition, guesses, and a wing and a prayer - once you are experienced and educated.