Philosophy
A Priori Justification and Rational Intuition
Quick fact
Many philosophers hold that rational intuition—the intellectual 'seeming' that a proposition is true—provides prima facie justification, much like perception does for empirical beliefs. Yet, unlike perception, intuition claims to reveal necessary truths that hold in all possible worlds.
Why this is interesting
You know that 2 + 2 = 4 without having to check it against the world. But how can you be justified in believing something you've never tested? This is the puzzle of a priori justification and the special role of rational intuition.