The Word “Belief” Is Problematic

[AtmanIsBrahman]

I want to address a simple problem with this post, having to do with the language we use on this forum and Leo uses in his work. The word I want to focus on is “belief.”
There are two ways in which the word is used, and conflating them becomes problematic.

1. Layman’s definition- trusting that something is true without evidence/justification/direct experience (substitute in whatever fits your epistemology)

2. Philosophical definition- to think/hold that something is true

The problem is that we use the word belief to refer to the layman’s definition exclusively, leaving no room for the philosophical definition. Using the word “belief” is treated as a revelation that the person using it has a poor epistemology.

The layman’s definition is fine when we’re talking about religion or limiting beliefs, but for more serious intellectual topics there ends up being no proper word. If we want to say “Leo thinks X is true about politics,” we are forced to say “Leo has X political awakening” or “X political insights.” The problem is those terms come loaded with a lot of baggage—such as that what Leo is saying is true.

We could use other words like “think” or “hold-to-be-true,” but they would be clunky or imprecise. I suggest we bite the bullet and use the word “belief.”

I know that part of the reason for using the word “belief” in the standard way is the distinction between direct experience and concept. But consider this example— when someone awakens, before they didn’t hold-to-be-true that God exists, but now they do. We can just call this belief. Yes, what they hold to be true exists in an entirely different context than before, but they still hold it to be true.

This all comes down to the inability of language to grasp ultimate reality, but we can still be careful with how we use language. Using the word "belief" correctly is one attempt to do so.




 

[YIDIRYIDIR]

great distinction.

relying on beliefs is strategic if one is conscious and can deal with the risk that comes with that. sometimes you even have no choice, you just can't afford to not believe in something.

[Osaid]

Is it true that you're trusting that something is true?

Is it true that you're holding or thinking that something is true?

No, those would be beliefs.

[Joseph Maynor]

We can see what people loop on and then a second question would be whether it is a belief or not.  

[AtmanIsBrahman]

10 hours ago, Osaid said:

Is it true that you're trusting that something is true?

Is it true that you're holding or thinking that something is true?

No, those would be beliefs.

It seems like you’re implying that truly knowing something is different from having to “think” or “hold” it. I get what you mean when it comes to mystical experience.

But still—you can self-deceive with mystical experiences. And for more everyday topics like personal development or politics, you do have to believe (keep in mind I’m using definition 2).

I’m just making the simple point that you should have a word to say that you think (believe) something is true.

[gettoefl]

Belief in perception is false by default. You believe you see. You don't. Real eyes realize real lies. Belief needs dropping. Correct your perception. Fix your eyes. Specsavers can't cut it.

[UnbornTao]

If you recognize and then set aside everything you think is true (believe), you might be left with a deep sense of uncertainty or openness, so go do that.