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Single Idea 3872

[filed under theme 11. Knowledge Aims / A. Knowledge / 4. Belief / a. Beliefs ]

Full Idea

We cannot determine what someone's beliefs are independently of assessing to some extent the truth or falsity of the beliefs.

Gist of Idea

We must assess the truth of beliefs in identifying them

Source

W.H. Newton-Smith (The Rationality of Science [1981], X.4)

Book Ref

Newton-Smith,W.H.: 'The Rationality of Science' [RKP 1981], p.249

The 17 ideas from W.H. Newton-Smith

3853 For science to be rational, we must explain scientific change rationally [Newton-Smith]
3854 Positivists hold that theoretical terms change, but observation terms don't [Newton-Smith]
3855 Critics attack positivist division between theory and observation [Newton-Smith]
3857 Defeat relativism by emphasising truth and reference, not meaning [Newton-Smith]
3858 A full understanding of 'yellow' involves some theory [Newton-Smith]
3859 We do not wish merely to predict, we also want to explain [Newton-Smith]
3861 Theories generate infinite truths and falsehoods, so they cannot be used to assess probability [Newton-Smith]
3862 All theories contain anomalies, and so are falsified! [Newton-Smith]
3863 The anomaly of Uranus didn't destroy Newton's mechanics - it led to Neptune's discovery [Newton-Smith]
3864 Anomalies are judged against rival theories, and support for the current theory [Newton-Smith]
3865 Why should it matter whether or not a theory is scientific? [Newton-Smith]
3870 The real problem of science is how to choose between possible explanations [Newton-Smith]
3866 If theories are really incommensurable, we could believe them all [Newton-Smith]
3867 De re necessity arises from the way the world is [Newton-Smith]
3869 More truthful theories have greater predictive power [Newton-Smith]
3871 Explaining an action is showing that it is rational [Newton-Smith]
3872 We must assess the truth of beliefs in identifying them [Newton-Smith]