3 Belief, Truth, and Justification Free Online FlashCards

What is a belief?

A belief is an attitude of accepting a proposition as true.

What makes a proposition true?

A proposition is true when things are as the proposition says they are. Truth does not depend simply on how strongly or widely it is believed.

What is evidence?

Evidence is information that bears on whether a proposition is true. It can support a conclusion without proving it beyond doubt.

When is a belief epistemically justified?

A belief is epistemically justified when it has appropriate support, such as relevant evidence, good reasoning, or a dependable belief-forming method.

What are the three conditions in the traditional account of knowledge?

The traditional account says knowledge is justified true belief: the person believes the proposition, it is true, and the person is justified in believing it.

What do Gettier-style cases challenge?

A Gettier-style case is one in which a person has a justified true belief, but its truth is accidental. Such cases challenge whether those three conditions suffice for knowledge.

What is the regress problem in justification?

The regress problem asks how belief can be justified when each reason may itself need justification, potentially leading to a stopping point, a loop, or an endless chain.

How does foundationalism structure justification?

Foundationalism says some basic beliefs are justified without being inferred from other beliefs; other beliefs derive support from them.

Does foundationalism require basic beliefs to be infallible?

Basic beliefs are not necessarily infallible. Some foundationalists hold that perceptual beliefs can be justified while remaining open to correction.

How does coherentism explain justification?

Coherentism says a belief is justified through how well it fits into a broader system of beliefs, rather than by resting ultimately on basic beliefs.

What is a central challenge for coherentism?

A coherent system of beliefs might still be disconnected from reality, and incompatible systems might each seem coherent. Coherentists must explain how experience constrains belief.

How does coherentism about justification differ from a coherence theory of truth?

Coherentism about justification concerns how beliefs are supported; a coherence theory of truth proposes what truth consists in. They address different questions.