(May 27, 2014 at 1:13 pm)Simon Moon Wrote: I use the definition of belief as defined by cognitive scientists, 'the psychological state in which one accepts a proposition or premise to be true'.
That being said, there are good reasons to believe, and there are bad reasons to believe.
Bad reasons;
Emotional or wishful thinking, faith, raised to believe.
Good reasons;
Demonstrable evidence, reasoned argument, valid/sound logic.
I am willing to believe something (accept a premise to be true) if it is supported to by the above criteria. Without meeting the above criteria, I have no justification to believe.
On a side note, I'm not sure why so many atheists have a problem with the word 'believe'. As stated above, it is nothing more than accepting a premise or proposition to be true. Having a belief does not mean it is faith based, by default.
It's because the word has been hijacked and redefined colloquially. Of course there are varying degrees of belief and how they're based on evidence (JtB), but on a discussion forum or elsewhere, it can be easily twisted into "See! YOU have beliefs too! You're religious too! My beliefs are just as valid! See! AH HA!"
