Definition
The web of belief is the view that beliefs support one another in networks rather than resting on indubitable foundations. Rational belief management is holistic and revisable.
Why It Matters
If we treat our beliefs as a “building,” knocking out one brick can make the whole structure collapse. The “web” model is more resilient; it allows us to update and revise our worldview without losing our sanity, providing a realistic framework for intellectual growth and persuasion.
Core Concepts
- Foundationalism seeks certainty at the base of knowledge.
- A web model treats beliefs as mutually supporting and mutually vulnerable.
- Some beliefs are central and costly to revise; others are peripheral.
- Worldviews differ by how their belief networks distribute confidence.