In epistemology, coherence refers to a property or criterion of knowledge and justification that focuses on the internal consistency and logical coherence of beliefs or propositions within a system of knowledge. It emphasises the idea that beliefs should fit together in a coherent and mutually supportive manner to form a reliable and justified body of knowledge.
Coherence theory holds that the truth or justification of a belief is determined by its coherence with other beliefs within a system. According to this view, the overall consistency and logical coherence of a set of beliefs serve as criteria for their truth or justification. If a belief aligns well with other beliefs in the system, it is considered to be more reliable and justified.
In a coherent system of knowledge, beliefs support and reinforce one another, forming a web of interconnected ideas. The more interconnected and mutually supportive the beliefs are, the stronger the coherence of the system. Incoherence, on the other hand, arises when there are contradictions or inconsistencies among the beliefs, weakening the overall coherence of the system.
Coherence theory often contrasts with foundationalism, another approach to epistemology. Foundationalism posits that knowledge is built upon a foundation of basic beliefs or indubitable principles, while coherence theory argues that knowledge is grounded in the coherence and consistency of beliefs within a system.
Critics of coherence theory argue that coherence alone may not be sufficient for determining truth or justification, as a set of beliefs can be internally consistent but still be disconnected from reality. Empirical evidence and correspondence to the external world are often seen as important factors in evaluating the truth or justification of beliefs.
In summary, coherence in epistemology refers to the internal consistency and logical coherence of beliefs within a system of knowledge. It emphasises that beliefs should fit together in a mutually supportive and coherent manner. Coherence theory emphasises the interconnectedness of beliefs and their logical consistency as criteria for truth or justification.
