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The Puzzle of Belief
Neil Van Leeuwen1, Tania Lombrozo2
1Department of Philosophy and Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University.
Cognitive Science
|February 6, 2023
Summary
Cognitive science struggles to define "belief." This research proposes a pluralistic view, suggesting distinct psychological kinds of believing exist within a multi-dimensional property space, aiding empirical study.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Science
- Psychology
- Philosophy of Mind
Background:
- The concept of belief is central to cognitive science but lacks a clear, unifying definition.
- Existing definitions often lead to unproductive verbal disputes.
- A precise understanding of belief is crucial for advancing cognitive theories.
Discussion:
- This paper introduces a pluralistic framework for understanding belief.
- It posits that 'believing' encompasses multiple distinct psychological kinds.
- These kinds can be mapped within a multi-dimensional property space.
Key Insights:
- Beliefs are not monolithic; different varieties of believing exist.
- These varieties correspond to distinct clusters of psychological properties.
- Identifying these clusters offers an empirically tractable approach.
Outlook:
- This pluralistic approach can resolve definitional ambiguities in belief research.
- It provides a roadmap for empirical investigation into the nature of belief.
- Future research should focus on identifying and characterizing these distinct belief varieties.
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