(December 17, 2019 at 1:22 pm)maxolla Wrote:(December 16, 2019 at 6:39 pm)LadyForCamus Wrote: I would argue the opposite is true. Belief is (or should be) borne of one’s confidence level in the truth of a proposition. If there is substantial evidence in support of a particular truth claim, then my confidence level in that truth claim will be high, and belief is generated. I cannot choose to believe in god any more than you can choose to believe in Santa Clause.
I think we agree. Belief is chosen through faith in experiences, knowledge, and evidence gathered. What an individual considers sufficient evidence is where we start to differ. We both could agree that what we call wind exists. We can feel the effects of it but we can’t see it. There is some evidence missing regarding wind (sight). We still choose to believe it exists because we can see the effects of the wind and feel it. Your belief in science and mine in creation are similar. There is evidence for both but the argument always goes to what evidence is.
Beliefs are not a choice, they are a result of being convinced. Belief is acquired through being convinced of a proposition.
Not matter how hard I try to chose to belief that I am able to fly, I am unable to believe.
There is no evidence missing for the existence of wind. Wind itself may not be visible, but the effects of it certainly are visible. I do not chose to believe wind exists, I am convinced it exists based on massive evidence. I can not chose to believe wind does not exist.
If one says they make the choice of believing a proposition, it is my contention that, either they misunderstand the process of belief, or they are fooling themselves into thinking they believe.
Belief is defined by cognitive scientists and philosophers of mind as; the psychological state in which one is convinced that a premise or proposition is true, or likely true.
HOw can I chose to be convinced? Either i am convinced, or I am not.
You'd believe if you just opened your heart" is a terrible argument for religion. It's basically saying, "If you bias yourself enough, you can convince yourself that this is true." If religion were true, people wouldn't need faith to believe it -- it would be supported by good evidence.