A Universal Perspective On Belief Essays - Epistemology, Doubt

A Universal Perspective On Belief: A Universal Perspective on Belief: A Response to Pragmatic and Cartesian Approaches to Epistemology By Britta Rempel (*note to reader:I hope this gives all of you struggling with some concepts in Intro to Philosophy a clearer view on how to approach your own paper, please do not plagerise) The approaches given by Pierce and Nagel to the epistemological questions of doubt and belief, though diverse in that they are strictly pragmatist and Cartesian, contain a similar underlying principle. They both serve to show that belief cannot come from any source that appeals to ones feelings or purposes, experiences or impressions. Beliefs must arise from a non-personal means. Although this is a commonality between the two approaches in epistemology, they are greatly different arguments in their focuses. Pierces pragmatist approach surfaces along the lines of techniques people use to found their beliefs of reality, here assuming reality from the start, and using that as a foundation to delve into questions of the unknown. Nagels look at the Cartesian approach primarily doubts reality, and uses that as the grounds for the rest of his argument, asking how we can know anything beyond ourselves. These approaches lead to very different views on epistemology. Pragmatism: Pierces Approach to Epistemology Pierces approach to his epistemological questions of doubt and belief is solely pragmatic in nature, in that he states beliefs are established in habits, which reoccur in our determining of our actions; doubt, on the other hand, is an uneasy state we want to release ourselves from, to come to a belief (46). We then gather from this, that doubt and belief have positive effects on us, both causing us to act. Pierce begins his approach with a discussion of the irritation of doubt(46). This he describes as an immediate motive for the struggle to attain belief (46). Once this belief is attained, we are entirely satisfied because our opinion is satisfied, which is, as Pierce states, the sole end of inquiry (47). Pierce then goes on to pragmatically examine the question of belief and doubt through four methods. The first is his method of tenacity, which denotes believing any answers we like, and considering everything that is in accordance with that belief, while rejecting all that disrupts our belief (47). It is a process of coming to beliefs that is deliberately adopted, to give one the feeling of satisfaction and stability, which yields great peace of mind (48). Pierce refutes this method, showing that it is unable to hold its ground in a society where people hold contrary beliefs, because this will inevitably shake ones confidence in their own beliefs: we shall necessarily influence each others opinions (48). Pierce then leads us to the method of authority, which states that the will of the state acts as the will of the individual (49). In this method, the institution of the state keeps its people informed of correct doctrines, and teaches them to the young (the institution here having the power to choose what beliefs are held, and which are suppressed). It forces the individual into ignorance and suppression of their own doubts and beliefs, segregating them from the influence of the rest of the world (49). This method has been held throughout history through soci ety and religion, showing results of greater success then the method of tenacity. Pierce refutes this method of intellectual slavery by stating that, while the institution can regulate opinions on important matters, the rest of mens minds must be left to the action of natural causes (50). This leads him into the a priori method, in which we believe what we find ourselves inclined to believe; an impulse to believe in propositions as well as a decision on what proposition is to be believed (50). This method is mainly adopted because ones propositions appear agreeable to reason: Mens opinions will soon lead them to rest on preferences of a far more universal nature. (51). This theory is refuted much as the method of authority. Once one sees that a belief of theirs is determined by a social custom or circumstance extraneous to the facts, one must experience a real doubt, ceasing their belief (51). The method of science is presented last, being