Belief vs Faith (Philosophical Distinction)

Carneades.org

29 May 202210:06

Summary

TLDRThis 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.

Outlines

00:00

🧠 Introduction to Belief vs. Faith

The video begins by introducing the topic of belief and faith, explaining their significance in philosophy, epistemology, and theology. While belief has a clear definition, faith is more ambiguous, varying across religious traditions. Some consider faith a type of belief, while others view it as something distinct. The video sets the stage to explore these differences, beginning with the philosophical definition of belief, which is described as a propositional attitude where a person believes a proposition to be true.

05:00

🤔 Philosophical Definition of Belief

The concept of belief is explored further. In philosophy, belief is described as a propositional attitude, meaning that a person (S) believes a proposition (P) if they accept it as true. This framework is applied to religious statements, such as 'Gods exist.' The video also briefly touches on other propositional attitudes like desire and wonder, where a person either hopes or questions whether a proposition is true. Belief, however, remains a key focus, described as a form of assent to the truth of a statement.

📜 Doxastic Venture Model of Faith

Faith is introduced as a more complex and debated concept. The doxastic venture model of faith is defined as belief without justification, often contrasted with knowledge, which is justified belief. The video explains that under this model, faith involves belief beyond evidence, making it distinct from knowledge. An example is given of someone having faith in a sports team’s success without any rational evidence to support it. This model is particularly relevant in religious contexts where belief is accepted without the need for proof or justification.

💡 Aquinas' View on Faith

The video moves on to discuss Saint Thomas Aquinas' perspective, where faith is belief in religious doctrines. Aquinas argued that some articles of faith can be demonstrated by reason, but others must be accepted without proof. Faith, for Aquinas, occupies a space between opinion and knowledge—it is more certain than opinion but less certain than proof. Aquinas' view represents a more structured definition of faith, where reason and faith intersect, but reason alone cannot fully justify religious beliefs.

🛐 Faith as Belief in Propositions

Another perspective on faith is presented, framing it as belief in specific religious propositions. For these philosophers, faith is the belief in propositions like 'God exists.' This model views faith as a cognitive act, where one believes in certain truths revealed by religion. The emphasis here is on the content of faith—specific propositions—rather than the experiential or emotional aspects of faith, which contrasts with more relational or trust-based views.

🙏 Trust Model of Faith

Faith is also described as a relationship of trust between an individual and a deity. This model, known as the 'trust model of faith,' shifts the focus from belief in God's existence to trust in God's goodness and plan. It distinguishes 'faith in' a deity from 'faith that' a deity exists. This trust-based faith emphasizes a relational dynamic, where belief in God’s existence is required but trust in God's benevolence is central.

🌟 Faith as Hope

Some philosophers define faith as a type of hope, where individuals act as if religious claims are true while remaining open to the possibility of their falsity. This perspective presents a less dogmatic view of faith, emphasizing the hopeful action rather than blind belief. It is portrayed as a more flexible and inclusive approach to faith, avoiding the rigid certainty that might come with other definitions.

📜 Faith as Virtue in Islam

In Islam, faith (imam) is sometimes seen as a virtue, going beyond mere acceptance of religious tenets. One can be a Muslim by following the religion’s core principles but still lack faith in its fullest sense. This distinction emphasizes that faith involves exemplifying certain virtues beyond intellectual acceptance of doctrines. The particular traits that constitute faith are debated, but the distinction between basic acceptance and true faith is a significant one in this context.

🕉 Faith in Hinduism and Buddhism

Faith in Hinduism and Buddhism is conceptualized as the beginning of a spiritual journey. In Hinduism, faith in scriptures is necessary to start the path to divine truth, but it is not sufficient for ultimate realization. Similarly, in Buddhism, faith (shraddha) is the initial trust in the Buddha and his teachings, which must be cultivated through study and reason. Both traditions view faith as a starting point rather than an endpoint, contrasting with more conclusive views of faith found in other religions.

🤨 Skepticism about Faith

The narrator expresses concern about faith, especially in the doxastic venture model, where belief without justification can lead to irreconcilable conflicts and even violence. Faith without evidence is seen as problematic because it cannot be debated rationally. Other forms of faith, which allow for questioning and justification, are considered less dangerous. However, the video concludes with a critical stance on faith that lacks rational foundation.

🎥 Conclusion and Call to Action

The video wraps up by inviting viewers to share their definitions of faith and belief, questioning whether faith should be seen as belief, trust, or something else. The creator encourages further discussion on the differences between belief and faith, acknowledging the wide range of definitions presented throughout the video. Viewers are also encouraged to subscribe, support the channel on Patreon, and stay skeptical in their philosophical inquiries.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Belief

Belief is defined as a propositional attitude where a person (S) assents to the truth of a given proposition (P). It means that a person holds a statement to be true. In the video, belief is portrayed as an essential attitude in both epistemology and religious philosophy, and it serves as the foundation for discussions about faith. For instance, belief is the basis for the proposition that 'Gods exist.'

💡Faith

Faith is described as a more complex and multifaceted concept compared to belief. The video explores various definitions of faith, ranging from belief without justification (the doxastic venture model) to trust in a deity's goodness (the trust model). Faith, depending on the definition, can involve hope, trust, or commitment to religious doctrines, going beyond mere belief. For example, faith in the doxastic model is belief without evidence, while faith in some religious traditions is a starting point for spiritual journeys.

💡Doxastic Venture Model

The doxastic venture model of faith refers to the idea that faith is belief without justification or evidence. In this model, faith is contrasted with knowledge, as it lacks the rational or empirical support that knowledge requires. This model is often associated with religious faith, where belief in the divine is accepted despite the lack of proof. For example, Pedro has faith that his team will win despite having no evidence for this outcome.

💡Propositional Attitude

A propositional attitude is the mental stance a person has toward a proposition, such as believing, desiring, or wondering about its truth. In the video, belief is identified as a type of propositional attitude, where a person assents to the truth of a statement. The distinction between different propositional attitudes helps clarify the difference between belief (thinking something is true) and other attitudes like desire (wanting something to be true).

💡Knowledge

Knowledge is defined in the video as 'justified true belief.' It stands in contrast to faith in the doxastic venture model, where faith lacks justification. Knowledge requires evidence and rational support, making it more certain than belief without justification. For example, while faith might claim that God exists without evidence, knowledge would require proof for such a claim to be accepted as true.

💡Fideism

Fideism is the view that religious truths cannot be justified by reason and must be accepted on faith. It contrasts with positions that allow for rational justification of religious beliefs. In the video, fideism is mentioned in the context of some Christians who argue that faith alone is necessary for religious belief, as rational evidence is irrelevant in matters of religion.

💡Trust Model of Faith

The trust model of faith focuses on faith as a relationship of trust between an individual and a deity. In this model, faith is not just belief that a deity exists but trust in the deity's goodness and plan for the individual. The video explains that this model emphasizes trust in a deity's actions and intentions rather than just the belief in the deity’s existence. An example is having faith in God’s plan, which involves trust in a higher purpose.

💡Aquinas’ View of Faith

According to Saint Thomas Aquinas, faith involves belief in religious doctrines, some of which can be proven with reason and others that are revealed truths. Aquinas ranks faith as more certain than opinion but less certain than knowledge or proof. The video highlights this view as a middle ground, where some aspects of faith can be rationally justified, while others must be accepted through revelation.

💡Iman

Iman, in Islamic theology, refers to a deeper, more virtuous form of faith than simply accepting the tenets of Islam. The video explains that iman involves going beyond mere adherence to religious practices, embodying the virtues of a faithful Muslim. This definition of faith as a virtue contrasts with other models that see faith as a propositional attitude or trust.

💡Skepticism about Faith

Skepticism about faith, particularly the doxastic venture model, refers to concerns that belief without justification can lead to conflict and irrationality. The video presenter expresses worry that when two people hold conflicting beliefs without evidence, there is no way to resolve the dispute rationally, potentially leading to violence. This skepticism is aimed at faith that dismisses the need for justification or rational discourse.

Highlights

The series 'Dumbfounding Definitions, Dizzying Distinctions, and Diabolical Doctrines' explores philosophical jargon.

Belief in philosophy is defined as a propositional attitude where a person assents to the truth of a proposition.

Belief is a key concept in epistemology, the philosophy of religion, and theology.

Faith is more amorphous and debated, with different definitions across religious traditions.

In the doxastic venture model, faith is belief without justification or proof, common among some Christians.

Faith under the doxastic venture model contrasts with knowledge, where faith lacks justification but knowledge is justified true belief.

Aquinas defines faith as belief in religious doctrines, with some truths being provable and others requiring faith.

Some define faith as simply believing specific propositions, such as 'God exists'.

The trust model of faith suggests faith is a relationship of trust between an individual and a deity.

Another view sees faith as hope, where one acts with the hope that central religious claims are true.

In certain versions of Islam, faith (Iman) is considered a virtue, going beyond mere acceptance of religious tenets.

In Hinduism, faith is a starting point for the spiritual journey, not sufficient for salvation on its own.

In Buddhism, faith is an attitude of devotion to Buddha's teachings, tempered by understanding and practical reason.

The speaker expresses skepticism towards faith, particularly in its doxastic venture form, due to its potential for fostering unresolvable conflicts.

The video invites viewers to reflect on their own definitions of faith and belief and how they distinguish between the two.