Received: by alpheratz.cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk id OAA08093 (8.6.9/5.3[ref pg@gmsl.co.uk] for cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk from fmb-bounces@mmu.ac.uk); Tue, 25 Sep 2001 14:51:18 +0100 From: Philip Jonkers <P.A.E.Jonkers@phys.rug.nl> X-Authentication-Warning: rugth1.phys.rug.nl: www-data set sender to jonkers@localhost using -f To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk Subject: Belief & Behavior Message-ID: <1001424426.3bb0862ae89f4@rugth1.phys.rug.nl> Date: Tue, 25 Sep 2001 15:27:06 +0200 (CEST) References: <20010924124236.AAA22568@camailp.harvard.edu@[128.103.125.215]> In-Reply-To: <20010924124236.AAA22568@camailp.harvard.edu@[128.103.125.215]> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit User-Agent: IMP/PHP IMAP webmail program 2.2.6 X-Originating-IP: 129.125.13.3 Sender: fmb-bounces@mmu.ac.uk Precedence: bulk Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
Richard:
> >I'm confused
> >by your calling a belief a behavior. Isn't a belief something you
> believe
> >and a behavior something you do?
Wade:
> If, in response to a real world situation, like a ladder
> falling on an infant causing it's death, you say,
> 'it's god's will'- that is a learned response behavior,
> explaining the event. The need to have such a response
> at the ready, rather than a response to discover the real
> cause and possibly prevent such an occurance in the future,
> is holding a belief.
>
> I'm more saying that the holding of such a belief is a
> behavior, because it prevents further study of the facts
> of the event.
>
> Beliefs need to be held, because they are false (in that
> skeptic's definition of false- without evidence, again,
> using the definition of belief as a contention without facts).
> Holding something that is false is a behavior.
Beliefs *can* be made based of evidence though.
> I think....
You believe so right?! ;-)
Nice topic again guys....
Look at this way. All the actions you are doing are based on
beliefs since absolute certaintly that the premises of you
performing the actions is unattainable. Behavior is the expression
of action based on belief (systems).
Example: when I want to go out to work out in the gym, I'm making
the following assumptions which I believe are true. I assume
they are true as they are based on prior affirming experience.
I belief:
1. My bike's at the bike depository.
So I go out and reach for my bike believing it's there for
the taking.
2. I ride on my bike to the gym, believing the gym's still
there and open (based on prior experience)
3. I go and fetch my sporting gear, assuming (=belief) it's
still in my locker.
4. I start working out in the gym with weights and machines
assuming they are still there...
Do you get the picture? Behavior is always based on incomplete
knowledge about the world, hence the use of beliefs/assumptions
to make life operable in a world which cannot be known to
infinite accuracy...
Philip.
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