William Kingdon Clifford - The Ethics of Belief Analysis Essay Sample

William Kingdon Clifford - The Ethics of Belief Analysis Sample

The Ethics of Belief is an argumentative paper in regards to the structures of ethics psychology, the philosophy of the mind and epistemology. The question is, is it morally wrong to hold on to a belief in spite of the insufficient evidence? An assessment of faith formation, maintenance and relinquishing is critical in finding the truth in whether people's idea can pan out when put on trial. The use of deductible evaluations helps to provide evidence of the truth of any events or belief systems. Clifford clearly states that it is morally wrong to believe in something that has insufficient evidence to prove itself. Clifford devises mechanism through which proof of the existence of truth in any belief system can be worked through on. According to Clifford’s evidentialism concepts, it is easy to say that he would not find the belief in the existence of God as responsible. Below is an outlook of the evidential mechanism of assessing a belief system,

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Strict Vs Moderate

Clifford points out harsh ways with which evidentialism should relate to faith allocation in a given subject or person. The presence of evidence in one’s hands should be proportionate to the amount of belief that one allocates to a subject or individual. Strict principles of evidentialism look into the universal evidence of a given subject, if the condition is constant to all humanity, it might then be considered true. On the other hand, moderate evidentialism is based on holding principles of evidentialism, but other subjects are rationally permitted to form belief systems in spite of insufficient evidence. It’s hard to discredit is evidentialism as an inappropriate ideology that questions societal and religious belief systems.

Synchronic vs. Diachronic

The doxastic norms of trust can either be synchronic and diachronic. Synchronic belief systems are focused on the maintenance and holding of faith at a particular time. Clifford states that different belief system is synchronic at given times, certain belief systems were professed only at a period, and if it does not surpass its lifetime, then it is not sufficient enough. He proposes diachronic belief system, he suggests that believe systems should have transcended several lifetimes and it covers all the frames of life. Clifford’s theories hold a strong argument against certain belief systems that have not lasted a generation.

Evidence and Its Possession

Clifford describes the importance of evidentialism in the formation of any belief systems. The existence of lower order evidence would help to account for higher order beliefs. It is the hierarchical structure of evidence-based belief system that accounts for the general view held by humanity. Evidence possession helps one to give an account of their knowledge, in this regards the existence of God can be considered as vague as there is not or insufficient evidence proving His existence.

Counteractive Opinions on Clifford's Ethics of Belief

Cosmological Argument

This belief system proves the existence of God through the existence of life of the universe. This argument states that every in the universe “was imparted motion.” It is clear to note that it identifies the evidence of an originator, a supreme wisdom, and intelligence who is the creator of the cosmos. The universe is what it is based on the design of a higher power. This argument is based on the scientific belief of Parmenides, “nothing comes from nothing.” The existence of the cosmos, planets, the sun, the moon, Plantae, and Animalia are out of divine creation the fact is that the perfection and balance in the ecological conditions of the earth to support life indicates evidence of a highly detailed design. God is the creator of the universe, and this is the simplest explanation for the existence of different life forms and nature is sufficient evidence. Any other arguments will be considered illogical as God's works are seen in the world in the most visible way.

Questions to Understand The Ethics of Belief

What is the argument in The Ethics of Belief?

The Ethics of Belief discusses the problem of personal statements and beliefs even when people don't have enough proof to justify their beliefs. Striving to create the standards, the author came up with the only statement. Only those beliefs that can be proven with solid evidence should be considered as the right ones.

What is the ethical belief?

It's a cluster of issues that force people to create particular standards in beliefs. People always strive to keep everything in order, so the ethic belief is a conviction in something that fits particular standards and can be justified by solid evidence.

Why is Clifford's essay called The Ethics of Belief?

People are always surrounded by different information that may be controversial. The essay has a mind-provoking name that is The Ethics of Belief. It forces people to question their beliefs because there is no reliable way to choose what to believe. It forces us to develop the rules of picking the right beliefs, even when they are different from our inner feeling.

What is Clifford's Evidentialist thesis?

The thesis of Clifford's Evidentialist lies in the problem of choosing the right belief-formation. People need to have established standards that can help them choose what to believe to not go wrong in their convictions.