Philosophy, Belief and Disbelief

Abstract

By engaging in philosophy we are agreeing to put our beliefs to the test of logic. We are demonstrating our willingness to subject the concepts which figure in our beliefs to logical analysis, to an intensive scanning for hidden inconsistencies, obscurities, or ambiguities; and we are accepting that the grounds on which we hold our beliefs need to be logically evaluated, fallacies in reasoning detected, concealed premises identified, and different forms of relevance established. Actually, we have no option. An incoherent belief is not a belief at all, but merely a jumble of words or perhaps of muddled impressions and feelings. And although we may indeed hold beliefs for which we have no good grounds, we must then expose ourselves to the wholly justified charge of childishly sheltering in private fantasies.