Final answer:
Coherence, as defined by Whitehead, refers to the view known as Coherentism, which states that justification and knowledge are structured like a web. Within this belief system, the strength of individual beliefs comes from the overall structure and consistency of the interconnected beliefs. Coherentism contrasts with other theories of truth and justification.
Step-by-step explanation:
Coherence, as defined by Whitehead, is a concept within the field of philosophy. Specifically, it refers to the view known as Coherentism, which states that justification and knowledge are structured like a web rather than a house. According to Coherentism, a belief is considered justified if it is embedded within a network of coherent and mutually supported beliefs. This means that the strength of individual beliefs comes from the overall structure and consistency of the belief system as a whole, rather than from individual beliefs in isolation.
Think of a spider's web. Each strand of the web is not strong on its own, but when all the strands are connected and woven together, the web becomes durable and resilient. Similarly, in a belief system, the justification of each belief is reinforced and strengthened by its connections and coherence with the other beliefs in the system.
Coherentism is in contrast with other theories of truth and justification, such as the Correspondence Theory of Truth, which emphasizes the agreement between beliefs and an independent reality. Coherentism, on the other hand, focuses on the interrelations among beliefs, with each belief entailing and supporting every other.