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Single Idea 2207

[filed under theme 11. Knowledge Aims / A. Knowledge / 4. Belief / b. Elements of beliefs ]

Full Idea

What is the difference between fiction and belief? It can't be a peculiar idea annexed to a conception which commands our assent, and is wanting to fiction, for then the mind could voluntarily annex this idea to any fiction, and believe what it pleases.

Gist of Idea

Belief can't be a concept plus an idea, or we could add the idea to fictions

Source

David Hume (Enquiry Conc Human Understanding [1748], V.II.39)

Book Ref

Hume,David: 'Enquiries Conc. Human Understanding, Morals', ed/tr. Selby-Bigge/Nidditch [OUP 1975], p.48


The 10 ideas with the same theme [the components that make up beliefs]:

Two sorts of opinion: either poorly grounded belief, or weak belief [Stoic school, by Stobaeus]
Belief can't be a concept plus an idea, or we could add the idea to fictions [Hume]
Belief is just a particular feeling attached to ideas of objects [Hume]
We are aware of beliefs, they appease our doubts, and they are rules of action, or habits [Peirce]
The three questions about belief are its contents, its success, and its character [Russell]
Belief relates a mind to several things other than itself [Russell]
The concepts of belief and truth are linked, since beliefs are meant to fit reality [Davidson]
Indexicals are a problem for beliefs being just subject-proposition relations [Perry]
Beliefs are states of the head that explain behaviour, and also items with referential truth-conditions [McGinn]
Having beliefs involves recognition, expectation and surprise [Scruton]