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Single Idea 12574

[filed under theme 11. Knowledge Aims / A. Knowledge / 4. Belief / d. Cause of beliefs ]

Full Idea

When the agreement of any two ideas appears to our minds, I can no more refuse to perceive, no more avoid knowing it, than I can avoid seeing those objects which I turn my eyes to.

Gist of Idea

When two ideas agree in my mind, I cannot refuse to see and know it

Source

John Locke (Essay Conc Human Understanding (2nd Ed) [1694], 4.20.16)

Book Ref

Locke,John: 'Essay Concerning Human Understanding', ed/tr. Nidditch,P.H. [OUP 1979], p.717

A Reaction

Note that he is not just saying that we cannot resist believing what becomes evident to us, but he actually asserts that we cannot avoid 'knowing' it. This seems to imply that knowledge may be more basic than belief (as Williamson and Hossack argue).

The 15 ideas with the same theme [what triggers beliefs]:

2076 How can a belief exist if its object doesn't exist? [Plato]
23359 We can't believe apparent falsehoods, or deny apparent truths [Epictetus]
20190 Belief is not an intellectual state or act, because propositions are affirmed or denied by the will [Descartes, by Zagzebski]
12574 When two ideas agree in my mind, I cannot refuse to see and know it [Locke]
3661 'Natural beliefs' are unavoidable, whatever our judgements [Hume, by Strawson,G]
2213 Beliefs are built up by resemblance, contiguity and causation [Hume]
20189 Belief is a feeling, independent of the will, which arises from uncontrolled and unknown causes [Hume]
20945 Belief is no more rational than is tasting and smelling [Hamann]
5366 We have an 'instinctive' belief in the external world, prior to all reflection [Russell]
22328 I just confront the evidence, and let it act on me [Ramsey]
12651 Some beliefs are only inferred when needed, like 'Shakespeare had not telephone' [Fodor]
2715 Beliefs are based on perception, memory, introspection or reason [Audi,R]
20191 Some beliefs are fairly voluntary, and others are not at all so [Zagzebski]
6635 Causal theories of belief make all beliefs true, and can't explain belief about the future [Lowe]
4763 'Evidentialists' say, and 'voluntarists' deny, that we only believe on the basis of evidence [Engel]