Single Idea 21500

[catalogued under 12. Knowledge Sources / E. Direct Knowledge / 4. Memory]

Full Idea

When the whole range of empirical beliefs is taken into account, all of them more or less dependent on memorial knowledge, we find that those which are most credible can be assured by their mutual support, or 'congruence'.

Gist of Idea

We rely on memory for empirical beliefs because they mutually support one another

Source

C.I. Lewis (An Analysis of Knowledge and Valuation [1946], 334), quoted by Erik J. Olsson - Against Coherence 3.1

Book Reference

Olsson,Erik J.: 'Against Coherence' [OUP 2008], p.35


A Reaction

Lewis may be over-confident about this, and is duly attacked by Olson, but it seems to me roughly correct. How do you assess whether some unusual element in your memory was a dream or a real experience?