Notes For Dec 2 2002
Aidan Keuter

Extra credit from first exam due on Fri. Dec 6
Final will start Monday Dec 9 at 7am and go through Thurs. Dec 12 at 5pm
Remember that you need 3 posting of notes to get full credit
Control over ones beliefs
Descriptive Volitionism - It's psychology possible to form a belief as an act of will

Prescriptive Volitionism - It is not only possible also justified to form a belief
through an act of will
[note that these definitions will make good exam questions]
Logic Belief argument against Descriptive Volitionism-
it becomes a psychological question
do sub or un conscience desires play a role?
Could i really make myself believe something?
ex. my wife is cheating on me with my best friend. Could i make myself belive that wasn't true because i know that i would be happier.

Is DV even true? If it is, is it true for all beliefs or true for just some beliefs
and is it possible for beliefs formed in this way to be sustained?
It seems that some beliefs can be formed in this way but it depends on ones desires and motivations.
an individual could rationalize something to themselves - "oh that didn't happen" "it's not that bad"
example: a mom could make herself believe that her daughter is not being molested by her father.
could this be sustained though?
this depends on two sets of factors:
1. motivation or desire to belive or disbelieve, possible trauma of facing the truth and ego damage that would occur
2. The evidence for the belief
sensory
scientific
moral/political
historical

Pojman is a contemporary philosopher who is against prescriptive volitionism
he says:
1 To belive a proposition is to accept that proposition as true (corresponding to the way things are)
2. There is no logical connection between a persons desire and the way things are
3. Thus believing on the basis of desires is irrational

the question was raised: Is having true beliefs intrinsically valuable or only valuable as a means to other goods?
Blissful ignorance vs. Harsh reality