Single Idea 4262

[catalogued under 2. Reason / A. Nature of Reason / 6. Coherence]

Full Idea

If mere consistency is our aim in achieving a coherent set of beliefs, then new evidence and experiments are irrelevant.

Gist of Idea

If the only aim was consistent beliefs then new evidence and experiments would be irrelevant

Source

Alvin I. Goldman (The Internalist Conception of Justification [1980], §VIII)

Book Reference

'Epistemology: Internalism and Externalism', ed/tr. Kornblith,Hilary [Blackwell 2001], p.57


A Reaction

An important reminder. What epistemic duty requires us to attend to anomalous observations, instead of sweeping them under the carpet?