justification

In epistemology, justification refers to the reasons or evidence that support a belief, making it rational to hold. This concept is central to understanding how we acquire knowledge.

There are two main approaches to justification:

• Foundationalism: This view suggests that some beliefs are basic or foundational, meaning they are justified directly, without needing support from other beliefs. Examples include rational intuition or sense perception. Other beliefs are then justified by being inferred from these foundational beliefs.1
• Coherentism: In contrast, coherentism posits that a belief is justified if it fits coherently within a larger system of beliefs. The truth of a belief is determined by how well it aligns with other beliefs.2

Epistemology itself involves both describing mental content and determining what beliefs can be rationally justified. Philosophers like Plato explored how reason could lead to knowledge of unchanging forms, distinguishing between mere true belief and justified true belief.34