What are foundationalism and coherentism in epistemology?

Foundationalism and coherentism are two major competing theories regarding how beliefs are justified in epistemology. Foundationalism posits that knowledge rests upon a secure base of basic beliefs that do not require further justification, whereas coherentism argues that a body of beliefs is justified collectively through the interlocking strength and consistency of its components.

What we know

• Foundationalism views some beliefs as being justified in terms of more basic beliefs, including fundamental ones that require no further justification. [1, 2]
• Coherentism establishes a body of knowledge through the interlocking strength and mutual consistency of its components, without needing an ultimate foundation. [2, 4]
• Historical foundationalists like Descartes found foundations in the fact of existence and reason, while Locke found a foundation in experience. [2]
• Weak foundationalism emerged around 1975 to allow fallible basic beliefs and inductive reasoning, moving away from strict classical infallibility. [2]

Still open

• Whether pure coherentism struggles with addressing different logical foundations remains a point of discussion among foundational coherentists.

Where to go next

• whoWho were the key historical figures in foundationalism?
• what caused itHow does the regress problem affect epistemic justification?
• compared withWhat is the coherence theory of truth?
• the bigger pictureHow do internalism and externalism differ in justification?
• a case in pointWhat is Reformed epistemology?
• an unexpected connectionHow does Otto Neurath compare scientific knowledge to a raft?Instead of viewing knowledge as a pyramid built on a secure foundation, Neurath argued that scientific knowledge lacks an ultimate foundation and acts like a raft whose planks we must rebuild while floating on the open sea.

Sources

• [1]foundationalism (Wikidata Q1355086) · CC0 1.0
• [2]Foundationalism · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [3]Religious epistemology · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [4]Epistemology · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [5]Justification (epistemology) · CC BY-SA 4.0