Abstract

Hinge epistemology is a family of views that offers a novel approach to avoidingskeptical conclusions about the possibility of a posteriori justification of our empiricalbeliefs. They claim that at the basis of our empirical beliefs lie certain commitmentswhose rational status is not determined by our evidence. These are called hinge commitments.Prominent hinge epistemologists have claimed that hinge commitments areeither rational or arational but yet not beliefs. I argue that such views are subject todecisive objections. I then offer what I consider to be the best version of hinge epistemology.On this view, hinge commitments are best understood as arational beliefs that contingently inform our worldview. I call this view the Arational Beliefs View.