Single Idea 10345

[catalogued under 13. Knowledge Criteria / B. Internal Justification / 5. Coherentism / c. Coherentism critique]

Full Idea

Standard forms of coherentism are unable to account for normativity, because of their common individualism. Normativity cannot be generated within the isolated individual, or in the causal interaction between world and individual mind.

Clarification

'Normativity' lays down what is acceptable

Gist of Idea

Individual coherentism cannot generate the necessary normativity

Source

Martin Kusch (Knowledge by Agreement [2002], Ch.10)

Book Reference

Kusch,Martin: 'Knowledge by Agreement' [OUP 2004], p.121


A Reaction

This thought leads to belief in rationalism and the a priori, not (as Kusch hopes) to the social dimension. How can social normativity get off the ground if there is none of it to be found in individuals? The criteria of coherence seem to be given.