Do We Have the Right to Hold Beliefs in the Absence of Sufficient Evidence?

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9th February, 2017

Take a position in the debate between W.K Clifford and William James concerning the question of whether we have the right to hold beliefs in the absence of sufficient evidence.

I might try flexing my philosophical muscles by trying to stand my position in this argument. Holding the problem of beliefs in its logical form, it is common for us all to have a stand, a different point of view, an opinion which when allowed, we can justify ourselves with strong facts. Clifford feels it’s nonsensical to hold onto beliefs without sufficient evidence. According to his principle, he says that it is wrong always, everywhere, and for anyone to believe anything upon insufficient evidence. However, when subjected to strong believers, this can never be that logical puzzle since the evidence supporting belief cannot be philosophized but based on the long journey through life. To people like Clifford, belief is just like a great illusion that believers tend to seek refuge from the reality.

According to James William, we can never content ourselves with the superficial medical talks but the fruits they bear. This can be traced back to the psychological roots. With the visions that Teresa had all along, James can clearly identify that they were able to produce some good fruits since they motivated her to great activities and high degrees of success and happiness. James believes that we have the right to believe, even when some supporting evidence is insufficient. His explicit goal is to provide us with a philosophical justification of faith. According to James, our will has power to influence our beliefs. As well, he sees that passion frequently influences our beliefs.

Clifford is aware that there are beliefs that forms our society at large, but he does not approve the fact that we should believe without sufficient knowledge. He has tangible reasons as to why we can’t rely upon beliefs. Clifford wants to show us that forming our beliefs rightly is a matter that holds real ethical importance. He believes that no matter how fixed your beliefs are, you have the power to control your actions, to act ion a certain way. He sees that any case that our beliefs are faulty, there is a great potential that they infect and corrupt the belief system that we all depend on. When such a thing happens, it weakens our critical faculties and our self-control.