One of the most controversial subjects concerning population health is the unclear effects of coffee. It is believed to cause cancer, whereas some researchers claim that it has particular benefits for eliminating the risk of diabetes or burning fat. Meanwhile, the probability of complications is frequently rebutted by specialists who add this drink to the list of substances preventing the disease. Due to conflicting notions, it is vital to understand how people know that their knowledge is true and how they decide what to believe.
The allegedly reliable information is confirmed by reflections based on logical analysis as per the correspondence theory of truth, which implies comparing new statements with the current beliefs. Thus, the claim regarding the interrelation between cancer and coffee consumption and the latter’s health benefits is contrasted with what people know from their personal experience. If these findings correlate with it, they tend to consider them true.
As for the decisions concerning what to believe, they are made on the grounds of the coherence theory indicating the necessity to explain one’s views. It means that individuals tend to find a way to justify a stance by providing additional facts on the matter and thereby convince themselves and others. For instance, if one decides to think that coffee fights depression, they will be solely focused on the studies, which correlate with this knowledge.
In conclusion, people learn the truth about the actual impact of coffee by analyzing the possible results of its consumption concerning their experience. Since the facts differ depending on the perspective one prefers, they decide what to believe by finding sufficient justification for an opinion. In this way, the overall process can be described as learning new information, comparing it to available knowledge, and locating an explanation for the formed belief.