Phenomenal Conservatism - Arguments For PC

Arguments For PC

Phenomenal Conservatism has been defended on three grounds.

1. First, the principle enables one to account for the justification of most, perhaps all, of the beliefs that we commonly take as justified, including sensory observations, memory beliefs, and beliefs based on reasoning.
2. Second, it is argued that alternative epistemological positions are self-defeating in the sense that, unless PC is true, few or no beliefs would be justified, including beliefs in any alternative epistemological theories. This is supported by the claims
   • that all or nearly all beliefs are causally explained by appearances, that is, one believes a proposition because it seems true to one; and
   • that a belief is justified only if it is causally explained by a factor that constitutes justification for the proposition believed.
3. Third, it is argued that PC is most faithful to the motivations underlying epistemological internalism.