evidentialism

   Evidentialism is the epistemological theory that the epistemic justification of a belief depends on the evi- dence one has for it. John Locke developed an influential version of the theory with his claim that belief should always be proportioned to the evidence. Advocates of the view differ as to the level of evidence required to make a belief rational and the extent to which one must possess or grasp the evidence as opposed to knowing some who do (or did). But, wherever the evidence resides, evidentialists commonly assume that such evidence must have a public, demonstrable component. Evidentialism is closely aligned with classical foundationalism, and has often been used as a means to judge religious belief as irrational.

   See Clifford, William Kingdon; epistemology; epistemology, Reformed; epistemology, religious; faith; fideism; foundationalism; reason

   Further reading: Audi 2003; Konyndyk 1986; Wykstra 1989