Epistemic justification refers to the reasons or grounds that support a belief or knowledge claim. It addresses the question of why we consider certain beliefs to be rational or credible. For example, if someone believes that the Earth orbits the Sun, their justification might include scientific evidence, such as observations and experiments conducted by astronomers.
In philosophy, epistemic justification is crucial for distinguishing between mere opinion and knowledge. A belief is justified if it is based on reliable evidence or sound reasoning. This concept is often explored in discussions about epistemology, the study of knowledge, and how we come to know what we know.