Basic insights from the fundamental notion of Web of belief, by Willard Quine
Quine talks about the 'web' specifically in the context of physical sciences and philosophy, but I think these basic principles of his theory are applicable to any belief, even religious beliefs.
If that is the case, then are religious beliefs fundamentally the same as any other beliefs we hold in life? If so, where and how do they diverge or part ways? Is this point of departure also the point where religion tends to break away from life and living?
- often it is the external experience that forces us to relook at our beliefs, often a contradictory one, one that does not fit in to our existing network of beliefs.
- we can choose which of our beliefs we wish to alter (peripheral, central, core).
- often we prefer to alter the peripheral, easier, less cumbersome than revamping the whole web!
- guided by conservation and purpose is simplicity.
- consistency is the ultimate aim... even if it means accommodating contradictory or differing views.
- we can never really map our whole belief system and state completely why we believe a certain thing, but we should be able to map the main reasons.
Quine talks about the 'web' specifically in the context of physical sciences and philosophy, but I think these basic principles of his theory are applicable to any belief, even religious beliefs.
If that is the case, then are religious beliefs fundamentally the same as any other beliefs we hold in life? If so, where and how do they diverge or part ways? Is this point of departure also the point where religion tends to break away from life and living?
No comments:
Post a Comment