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Full Idea
To say that an animal has beliefs is to imply not just that it can make mistakes, but also that it can learn from them.
Gist of Idea
If an animal has beliefs, that implies not only that it can make mistakes, but that it can learn from them
Source
Roger Scruton (Animal Rights and Wrongs [1996], p.15)
Book Ref
Scruton,Roger: 'Animal Rights and Wrongs' [Demos 1996], p.15
A Reaction
A bold claim which is hard to substantiate. Seems right, though. Why would they change a belief? It can't be a belief if it isn't changeable. That would be an instinct.
| 5801 | A mouse hearing a piano played does not believe it, because it lacks concepts and understanding [Dretske] |
| 8818 | Defeasible reasoning requires us to be able to think about our thoughts [Pollock] |
| 2970 | Dogs seem to have beliefs, and beliefs require concepts [Lockwood] |
| 4265 | If an animal has beliefs, that implies not only that it can make mistakes, but that it can learn from them [Scruton] |