Coherentism

Definition

Coherentism is a theory of justification that asserts that beliefs are justified if they cohere with a system of interconnected beliefs rather than relying on foundational beliefs. This approach emphasizes the importance of the overall consistency and mutual support among beliefs, suggesting that a belief is justified not in isolation but as part of a larger web of beliefs. In the context of evaluating religious beliefs, coherentism posits that rationality stems from how well these beliefs integrate with one's other convictions and experiences.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Coherentism challenges the idea that some beliefs are self-evident or foundational, arguing instead that justification depends on the interrelations among beliefs.
2. This theory supports the idea that one's entire belief system must be consistent for any individual belief to be rationally accepted.
3. Coherentists often emphasize that competing belief systems can be coherent in their own ways, leading to diverse perspectives on religious truth.
4. Critics of coherentism argue that coherence alone does not guarantee truth, as a set of beliefs can be internally consistent yet completely false.
5. In discussions about religious belief, coherentism suggests that a believer's experience, background, and other beliefs contribute to how they justify their faith.

Review Questions

• How does coherentism differ from foundationalism in the context of justifying beliefs?
  • Coherentism differs from foundationalism by rejecting the idea that some beliefs serve as unchallengeable foundations for all others. While foundationalism posits that certain basic beliefs are self-evident and provide certainty for additional beliefs, coherentism argues that justification arises from the coherence and support within a system of interconnected beliefs. This means that for coherentists, no single belief is privileged; instead, the overall consistency of the entire belief system is what validates any specific belief.
• What role does coherence play in evaluating religious beliefs according to coherentism?
  • In evaluating religious beliefs, coherence is crucial according to coherentism because it asserts that a belief's justification depends on how well it fits within an individual's entire system of beliefs. A religious belief gains rational support if it aligns and integrates smoothly with other convictions and experiences the individual holds. Therefore, believers assess their faith by considering whether it harmonizes with their other views about life, morality, and existence.
• Critically assess the strengths and weaknesses of coherentism as a theory of justification in relation to religious belief systems.
  • Coherentism has notable strengths in its ability to account for the complexity and diversity of belief systems, particularly in religion where personal experiences and interpretations vary widely. It allows for multiple coherent systems to coexist without asserting one as definitively true. However, its weaknesses lie in its reliance on coherence alone; just because a set of beliefs is consistent does not mean it reflects reality. This raises concerns about potentially accepting false but coherent systems. Therefore, while coherentism provides a flexible framework for understanding belief justification, it must contend with challenges regarding truth and empirical validation.

Related terms

Foundationalism: A theory of justification claiming that certain basic beliefs serve as the foundation for all other beliefs, providing ultimate certainty.

Epistemic Justification: The process by which a belief is justified through reasons or evidence, influencing whether a belief is considered rational or acceptable.

Internalism: A view in epistemology asserting that the justification for a belief must come from factors internal to the person's own mental states, like their thoughts and feelings.