Definitionv1
Epistemic self-trust: the specific disposition to rely on
Epistemic self-trust: the specific disposition to rely on one's own cognitive processes (reasoning, perception, memory, and judgment) as adequate grounds for belief and action, where trust is not based on non-circular defense of reliability but on taking one's own faculties as trustworthy despite unavoidable circularity
Why This Is a Definition
This definition clearly names the term 'epistemic self-trust', places it within the genus of 'disposition to rely on cognitive processes', and specifies its differentia that distinguishes it from general confidence or self-esteem. It precisely captures the philosophical nuance about circularity and the specific nature of relying on one's own cognitive faculties as adequate grounds for belief and action.