Received: by alpheratz.cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk id UAA08590 (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 20:02:26 +0100 Subject: Re: Belief & Behavior Date: Tue, 25 Sep 2001 14:53:23 -0400 x-sender: wsmith1@camail2.harvard.edu x-mailer: Claris Emailer 2.0v3, Claritas Est Veritas From: "Wade T.Smith" <wade_smith@harvard.edu> To: "memetics list" <memetics@mmu.ac.uk> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Message-ID: <20010925185408.AAA28962@camailp.harvard.edu@[128.103.125.215]> Sender: fmb-bounces@mmu.ac.uk Precedence: bulk Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
On 09/25/01 09:27, Philip Jonkers said this-
>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...
We always have incomplete knowledge of the world, yes, alas.
Using belief=assumption (again, not precisely the way I personally use
'belief', but, who listens to me?) behaviors can and are based on such,
but all behaviors are not. Many behaviors are automatic and/or
unconscious. It would seem that all cultural behaviors are always based
on assumptions.
Cultures could then be said to be more complete or less complete,
depending upon the depth and accuracy of their assumptions, and the
universality of their behaviors.
And that just ain't 'multi-cultural' or PC enough for many social orgs,
gov't agencies, or local book clubs.
Belief, as I say, should have nothing to do with it.
- Wade
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