Foundationalism and Coherentism

Foundationalism and coherentism are theories about how we justify our beliefs. Foundationalism posits that some beliefs are self-justified or "basic," serving as the foundation for other beliefs, much like a building's base supports the structure above. Coherentism, on the other hand, argues that beliefs are justified by their relationships with one another, forming a web of interconnected beliefs. In this view, a belief is valid if it fits coherently within the network of our other beliefs, emphasizing consistency over a single foundational point. Both aim to explain how we can know things and build knowledge.