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Does Belief Have an Aim?
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The hypothesis that belief aims at the truth has been used to explain three features of belief: (1) the fact that correct beliefs are true beliefs; (2) the fact that rational beliefs are supported by the evidence; and (3) the fact that we cannot form beliefs ‘at will’. The chapter argues that the truth-aim hypothesis cannot explain any of these facts. In this respect, believing differs from guessing since the hypothesis that guessing aims at the truth can explain the three analogous features of guessing. It concludes that (unlike guessing) believing does not have an aim, at least in any theoretically interesting sense.
Title: Does Belief Have an Aim?
Description:
The hypothesis that belief aims at the truth has been used to explain three features of belief: (1) the fact that correct beliefs are true beliefs; (2) the fact that rational beliefs are supported by the evidence; and (3) the fact that we cannot form beliefs ‘at will’.
The chapter argues that the truth-aim hypothesis cannot explain any of these facts.
In this respect, believing differs from guessing since the hypothesis that guessing aims at the truth can explain the three analogous features of guessing.
It concludes that (unlike guessing) believing does not have an aim, at least in any theoretically interesting sense.
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