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Single Idea 2213

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

Full Idea

Belief, where it reaches beyond the memory or senses, arises from resemblance, contiguity or causation, with the same transition of thought and vivacity of conception.

Gist of Idea

Beliefs are built up by resemblance, contiguity and causation

Source

David Hume (Enquiry Conc Human Understanding [1748], V.II.44)

Book Ref

Hume,David: 'Enquiries Conc. Human Understanding, Morals', ed/tr. Selby-Bigge/Nidditch [OUP 1975], p.54

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]