Theories of Knowledge Tu/Th
Notes Tuesday, May 28th
Home work ch. 17

Some questions discussed,
-How much control do we have over beliefs?

-How much do culture, upbringing and personal experiences determine our beliefs?
example: Polygamy, arranged marriage, polyandry (more than one husband), living together pre-marriage.
-What's ok to eat?
-Political beliefs, socialism vs capitalism
-Religious beliefs

-How can you chose what you believe, if you are a product of your environment?
-Where does choice come in? or Desire?
-How do you make a decision of what's true?

-Is it ok for us to choose beliefs based on desires?
example: Suppose I think being a republican will help my business?
a) Can I will myself directly/indirectly to believe in republicanism.
b)Would it be intellectually honest?
c)Would it be ethical?

-Many people struggle with unwanted beliefs.
example: Unwanted beliefs like they feel that are unworthy, failures etc.- It seems they'd change if they could.

-Are "iffy" beliefs under our control?
-Blissful ignorance or harsh reality?

Pojman gives two arguments against volitionism.

1) Phenomenological Argument (pg. 285)
Our experience of forming beliefs is of something happening to us.
Happens to us not something we choose to do.

2) Logical argument against volitionism (pg. 294) I believe that P but only because I want P to be true. - Is contradictory -
You cease to believe when you know you have no reason to believe it at all.