Belief vs Faith (Philosophical Distinction)

Summary

This video from Carnedies.org explores the difference between belief and faith in philosophy and religion. It defines belief as a propositional attitude where a person accepts a proposition as true. In contrast, faith has various interpretations, ranging from belief without justification to trust in a deity or hope that religious claims are true. Different religious traditions, including Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism, offer distinct views on faith, from a virtue to a starting point for spiritual growth. The video also critiques faith without justification, highlighting potential dangers in such beliefs.

Takeaways

• 📚 Belief in philosophy is defined as an attitude that a particular proposition is true.
• 🌟 Faith is a more complex concept with various interpretations across different religious traditions.
• 🔍 A common definition of faith is belief without justification or proof, often referred to as the 'doxastic venture model'.
• 🏆 For some Christians, faith is the acceptance of religious truths that are not subject to rational justification.
• 🎓 Saint Thomas Aquinas viewed faith as belief in religious doctrines, with some articles of faith being demonstrable through reason and others requiring belief without proof.
• 📈 Faith can also be defined as a trust relationship with a deity, focusing on trust rather than mere belief in existence.
• 🌱 Other perspectives see faith as a form of hope, where one acts with the hope that religious claims are true but remains open to the possibility of them being false.
• 🌐 In some versions of Islam, faith is not just acceptance of the religion but exemplifying certain virtues to be considered a good Muslim.
• 🧘‍♂️ In Buddhism, faith or shraddha is the starting point of a spiritual journey, requiring devotion and study to grow into understanding.
• ⚖️ The script expresses concern over faith as belief without justification, which can lead to intractable disagreements and violence.
• 🔗 The video invites viewers to consider their own definitions of faith and to distinguish it from belief, prompting reflection on the nature of faith.

Q & A

What is the difference between belief and faith in philosophy?

In philosophy, belief is generally considered a propositional attitude where someone assents to the truth of a proposition. Faith, on the other hand, has a more ambiguous definition and can vary significantly depending on the religious or philosophical tradition. Faith might be seen as belief without justification or as a form of trust in a deity, among other interpretations.

How do philosophers define belief?

Philosophers define belief as a propositional attitude where a person, S, believes a proposition, P, if and only if S assents to the truth of P. Essentially, to believe something means you think that proposition is true.

What is the doxastic venture model of faith?

The doxastic venture model of faith views faith as a special type of belief without justification or proof. It is belief in something beyond the available evidence or what could be rationally concluded. This model contrasts faith with knowledge, where knowledge is justified true belief, and faith is belief that may be true but lacks justification.

How does Saint Thomas Aquinas define faith?

Saint Thomas Aquinas defines faith as belief specifically in religious doctrines. Some articles of faith can be demonstrated with reason, while others must be accepted without proof. For Aquinas, faith is more certain than mere opinion but less certain than proof.

What is the 'trust model' of faith?

The trust model of faith views faith not as belief in the existence of a deity, but rather as trust in the deity's goodness and plan. In this model, faith goes beyond belief in propositions and requires trust in the deity's intentions and actions.

How is faith viewed in certain versions of Islam?

In some versions of Islam, faith (or 'iman') is a virtue that goes beyond merely accepting the religion. One might be a Muslim by accepting basic tenets, but having faith involves showcasing virtuous qualities and being a 'good' Muslim. Faith is thus a deeper commitment than simple acceptance.

What role does faith play in Hinduism?

In Hinduism, faith (sraddha) is seen as the beginning of the spiritual journey. It involves belief in the scriptures as a starting point for seeking divine truth. However, faith alone is not enough—it serves as a working theory until deeper spiritual realization is achieved.

How is faith conceptualized in Buddhism?

In Buddhism, faith (shraddha) is an attitude of devotion toward the Buddha and his teachings. It is considered essential for starting down the Eightfold Path, but it is not blind faith. Instead, faith must be tempered with understanding and practical reason as one progresses in their spiritual journey.

Why is the doxastic venture model of faith concerning to skeptics?

Skeptics find the doxastic venture model concerning because it allows belief without justification. This can lead to intractable disagreements, as there's no rational way to resolve conflicts between two people who hold contradictory beliefs based solely on faith. In such cases, the only resolution might be violence or coercion.

How does faith differ from mere opinion according to Aquinas?

According to Aquinas, faith is more certain than mere opinion because faith involves belief in religious doctrines that may be revealed and believed without proof. However, it is less certain than proof because not all articles of faith can be demonstrated using reason.