Ausgangsüberzeugungen

Ausgangsüberzeugungen, also known as foundational beliefs or basic beliefs, are propositions that are taken to be true without requiring justification from other beliefs. They are considered self-evident or immediately justified, often through sensory experience, rational intuition, or basic moral apprehension. The concept is central to foundationalism, a philosophical theory of knowledge.

Foundationalism posits that knowledge is structured like a building, with foundational beliefs forming the base upon which other beliefs are supported. These foundational beliefs are not derived from other beliefs but are directly warranted. For example, the belief "I am in pain" might be considered an Ausgangsüberzeugung if it is immediately justified by the feeling of pain itself. Similarly, basic logical truths like "A cannot be both B and not B" are often seen as Ausgangsüberzeugungen.

The nature and scope of Ausgangsüberzeugungen are subjects of debate. Some philosophers argue they are primarily empirical, while others include logical or mathematical truths, and even certain moral or aesthetic judgments. The criterion for identifying a belief as foundational can vary, with suggestions including incorrigibility, obviousness, or being basic to our cognitive or moral life.

The purpose of identifying Ausgangsüberzeugungen is to provide a stopping point for epistemic justification, preventing an infinite regress of reasons. Without such foundational beliefs, it becomes difficult to establish the truth or warrantedness of any belief. They are the bedrock upon which our entire system of knowledge and justified belief is built.