Single Idea 3397

[catalogued under 15. Nature of Minds / A. Nature of Mind / 3. Mental Causation]

Full Idea

A brief reflection makes it evident that most of our beliefs are generated by other beliefs we hold, and "generation" here could only mean causal generation.

Gist of Idea

Beliefs cause other beliefs

Source

Jaegwon Kim (Philosophy of Mind [1996], p.128)

Book Reference

Kim,Jaegwon: 'Philosophy of Mind' [Westview 1998], p.128


A Reaction

This seems right, and yet implies an uncomfortable determinism, as if all our beliefs just happened to us. I don't claim proper free will, but I do say there is an element in belief formation which is just caused by bunches of beliefs. Call it character.