Table of Contents

1: Introduction
Part I: Does coherence imply truth?
2: Coherence, truth, and testimony
3: C. I. Lewis's radical justification of memory
4: Laurence BonJour's radical justification of belief
5: C. A. J. Coady's radical justification of natural testimony
Part II: Does more coherence imply higher likelihood of truth?
6: Making the question precise
7: A negative answer
Part III: Other views
8: How not to regain the truth connection: a reply to Bovens and Hartmann
9: Other coherence theories
Part IV: Scepticism and incoherence
10: Pragmatism, doubt, and the role of incoherence
Appendix A: Counterexample to the Doxastic Extension Principle
Appendix B: Proof of the Impossibility Theorem
Appendix C: Proofs of Observations

Reviews

...a fascinating contribution to the literature on formal models of coherence and will be essential reading for anyone wishing to keep abreast of that literature. Charles B. Cross, Mind ...poses a powerful challenge to coherence theories of justification, from the standpoint of probabilistic epistemology. Anyone interested in the coherence theory or in probabilistic approaches to epistemology needs to attend closely to Olsson's careful and extremely important work. Michael Huemer, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews Dr. Olsson has produced a very interesting, substantial and instructive book. It takes important elements of epistemological coherence theories to a higher level of clarity, thus making it possible to explore in a precise manner vague considerations that were all too often based on faulty intuitions. Central parts of the book can even be described as provocative, since they attack crucial parts of prototypical coherence theories. Undoubtedly this book represents a very significant advance in this field of philosophical research. Hans Rott, Professor of Philosophy, Editor-in-Chief of Erkenntnis, Regensburg, Germany Olsson uses modern techniques from probability theory and modeling to examine whether the coherence theory of justification is tenable. Olsson takes us through much of the history and major figures in the coherence theory of justification. This work is well-written, well-informed by the existing literature and there is an interesting mix of formal argument and philosophical argumentation. Luc Bovens, Professor, London School of Economics, Editor-in-Chief of Economics and Philosophy