Coherentism

Description: Coherentism is a theory of truth that states that the truth of a proposition is determined by its coherence with other propositions that are already known to be true.
Number of Questions: 5
Created by:
Tags: philosophy philosophy of truth coherentism
Attempted 0/5 Correct 0 Score 0

What is the central idea of coherentism?

  1. Truth is determined by coherence with other propositions.

  2. Truth is determined by correspondence with reality.

  3. Truth is determined by the authority of a particular individual or group.

  4. Truth is determined by the subjective experience of the individual.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Coherentism holds that the truth of a proposition is determined by its coherence with other propositions that are already known to be true. This means that a proposition is true if it fits well with the rest of our knowledge and beliefs.

What are some of the advantages of coherentism?

  1. It allows for the possibility of new knowledge.

  2. It is not dependent on any particular external authority.

  3. It is a flexible and adaptable theory.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Coherentism has a number of advantages over other theories of truth. First, it allows for the possibility of new knowledge. This is because new propositions can be added to our existing body of knowledge without having to be verified against an external reality. Second, coherentism is not dependent on any particular external authority. This means that it is not subject to the biases or errors of any particular individual or group. Third, coherentism is a flexible and adaptable theory. This means that it can be used to account for a wide variety of different types of knowledge.

What are some of the criticisms of coherentism?

  1. It is too subjective.

  2. It is not able to account for the existence of necessary truths.

  3. It is not able to account for the existence of synthetic truths.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Coherentism has been criticized on a number of grounds. First, it has been argued that coherentism is too subjective. This is because the truth of a proposition is determined by its coherence with other propositions that are already known to be true, and these propositions are themselves subject to change. Second, it has been argued that coherentism is not able to account for the existence of necessary truths. This is because necessary truths are true in all possible worlds, and there is no way to determine the coherence of a proposition with all possible worlds. Third, it has been argued that coherentism is not able to account for the existence of synthetic truths. This is because synthetic truths are not true simply because they are coherent with other propositions, but rather because they correspond to some external reality.

How does coherentism compare to other theories of truth?

  1. It is more similar to correspondence theory than to pragmatism.

  2. It is more similar to pragmatism than to correspondence theory.

  3. It is equally similar to both correspondence theory and pragmatism.

  4. It is different from both correspondence theory and pragmatism.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Coherentism is more similar to pragmatism than to correspondence theory. This is because both coherentism and pragmatism emphasize the importance of the consequences of beliefs. However, coherentism differs from pragmatism in that it emphasizes the importance of coherence, while pragmatism emphasizes the importance of utility.

What are some of the implications of coherentism for our understanding of knowledge?

  1. Knowledge is always provisional and subject to revision.

  2. Knowledge is only possible within a community of knowers.

  3. Knowledge is always perspectival and limited.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Coherentism has a number of implications for our understanding of knowledge. First, it implies that knowledge is always provisional and subject to revision. This is because new propositions can be added to our existing body of knowledge, and this can lead to changes in our beliefs about what is true. Second, coherentism implies that knowledge is only possible within a community of knowers. This is because our beliefs about what is true are shaped by our interactions with others. Third, coherentism implies that knowledge is always perspectival and limited. This is because our beliefs about what is true are always limited by our own experiences and perspectives.

- Hide questions