The Trouble With Beliefs

The trouble with beliefs is that, unlike truth and knowledge, we have three kinds of them. Let me explain.

The least troubling beliefs are those congruent with both truth and knowledge (blue region): that is, a belief that is not only a truth but a truth for which we have knowledge through observation and reason. Example: The surface of the earth is spherical.

That leaves us with second kind of belief that is congruent with truth but not yet with knowledge (gray region): that is, imagined beliefs about real truths waiting to be converted to knowledge through observation and reason. Example: Einstein believed light traveling to the earth from a distant star would be deflected by the gravitational pull of the sun or other massive celestial object. Proof of this truth had to wait until the next eclipse of the sun when the confirming observation could be made and a new piece of knowledge established.


The most troubling beliefs are the third type for which no truths exist (green area): no observations can be made because no "is" exists to observe. At best these beliefs regarding nonexistent truths can only be discredited by negative inference based knowledge of contrary truths. Example: The ancient belief that the surface of the earth is flat has been discredited by our acquired knowledge of the truth that the surface of the earth is spherical. A thing cannot be spherical and flat simultaneously.

Unfortunately, when knowledge of contrary truths is unavailable, beliefs for which no truths exists can never be proven to be untrue. This is largely the realm of mythologies and the multitude of religions built around them. These unprovable beliefs can only discredited by our inability to link then with truths over periods of time. Examples: Belief that drowned (not alive) victims of a shipwreck have survived wanes to near zero after a week of the victims not being found alive in the North Sea during winter. Similarly, beliefs in Greek and Roman gods have lost nearly all traction in modern times.

So, here we are, afloat in a world of beliefs, some of which are supported by knowledge, some of which are awaiting confirmation by observation and reason, and some of which are patently false and always will be so.

Comments

Popular Posts