Theories of Justification

Theories of justification explore how we determine whether our beliefs are rational and well-founded. They ask what makes a belief justified—whether it’s based on solid evidence, logical reasoning, or reliable processes. Some theories, like foundationalism, suggest beliefs need a secure base; others, like coherentism, propose beliefs are justified if they fit well within a consistent system. Evidentialism emphasizes strong evidence, while pragmatic theories focus on the usefulness of beliefs. Overall, these theories seek to explain how we can reliably distinguish true, justified beliefs from false or unsupported ones.