Subjective Nature of Belief William James' "The Will To Believe" and W. K. C

William James' "The Will To Believe" and W. K. Clifford's "The Ethics of Belief" both demonstrate the subjective nature of belief, whether that belief is justified or not. If we assume that there is insufficient evidence to justify a belief in God, and if we also assume that human beings are rational, we must then account for the preponderance of believers versus nonbelievers in the world.

From an atheist's point of view, it appears that those who are most likely to appeal to scripture as justification for their moral beliefs are really just rationalizing positions they already have. James would maintain the right of a person to hold such a subjective reality because the decision to believe is based on personal need rather than logic. A true Godbeliever will selectively perceive reality in such a manner as to see evidence of God's will at every turn. A true nonbeliever, or atheist, would perceive reality in such a way as to note those events that indicate the absence of God. Clifford would not condone this selectivity of perception. To him, "a patient inquiry after the facts is morally necessary." It is revealing to note that Clifford used the term "morally." Objective truthseeking may become its own religion, tinged as it is with morality.

Several arguments for and against the existence of God are well known; assume for a moment that these are irrelevant. James tells us that belief in some propositions is a requirement of their future possible verification.

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ife are themselves sustaining. Clifford would not have kind words for such passion. In his essay, he maintains that "those who are not capable of controlling their feelings and thoughts must have a plain rule dealing with overt acts." The plain rule he speaks of is one of questioning all that we believe. For Clifford, truth must be guarded with a "fanaticism of jealous care." However, the very terms Clifford usesfanaticism, universal questioning, moral dutyresound with a religious zeal. His is the religion of scientific skepticism, but a religion nonetheless. Clifford cares about the issue of careful hypothesis testing so intensely that it becomes one of a "forced choice." He is doing exactly what James says people will do when they have a vital interest in believing something. By worshiping the scientific method, praying never to be duped, Clifford denies himself the metaphysical path. Still, he has made a choice. When James speaks of religion, he is referring to that branch of "knowing" that expresses two things: (1) the best things are the more eternal things and (2) we are better off even now if we affirm that goodness is eternal. These principles are the religious counterparts of his beliefs that an expect

Category: Philosophy - S