This section includes two selections from the essays of William K. Clifford and William James. Clifford’s essay, “The Ethics of Belief,” discusses evidentialism, which states that statements should only be accepted as true if there is enough evidence to support them (Voices of Wisdom, 346). James responds to Clifford in his essay called “The Will to Believe” and supports pragmatism as a philosophy. Pragmatism is a method for resolving philosophical disputes based on the pragmatic theory of truth, which asserts that a proposition is true if believing in it proves effective (Voices of Wisdom, 346).
To better understand the pragmatic theory of truth, it can be compared to the correspondence theory of truth and the coherence theory of truth. James disagrees with these theories because they see truth as an unchanging entity that exists independently from human experience and investigation. According to James, truth is an ongoing process that leads individuals towards more fulfilling experiences over time.
Clifford argues against believing in propositions solely for the purpose of eternal happiness without any evidence to support them. On the other hand, James presents three conditions for believing beyond evidence. First, when faced with a ‘genuine option’ where evidence alone cannot provide a decision, individuals have the right to use their ‘passional nature’ to make a choice.Secondly, individuals have the right to believe beyond evidence when belief in a fact is necessary for its existence. James argues that emotions and faith can be used to resolve matters (Voices of Wisdom, 347). To support this point, Clifford presents a scenario about a ship-owner who sent an old and poorly crafted ship to sea without disclosing his doubts. The ship sank, and the owner collected insurance money without investigating thoroughly or addressing his uncertainties. According to Clifford, the ship-owner would still be guilty even if the boat had successfully completed its journey because the morality of an action remains unchanged regardless of the outcome (Voices of Wisdom, 348). The ship-owner’s attempt to patch holes instead of seeking evidence further strengthens his guilt. Another example involves an island where non-mainstream religious beliefs were taught.There were rumors circulating that unfair methods had been used to obtain approval for teaching this religion to children, including allegations of kidnapping. However, a commission assigned to investigate these claims concluded that the accused individuals were innocent. Clifford argues that those making the accusations had no justification in believing the insufficient evidence provided as it was based on bias and prejudice. Even if the teachers had been found guilty, according to Clifford, the accusers’ actions would still be unjust given their false grounds. The rulings in both cases demonstrate that believing without enough or unbiased evidence, or by disregarding doubts, is considered incorrect. Furthermore, Clifford highlights that in certain situations, one person’s belief can influence others’ beliefs. Ultimately, Clifford asserts that it is universally wrong for anyone to believe something without sufficient evidence. (Voices of Wisdom, 350)
In William James’s essay, “The Will to Believe,” he introduces his method of decision-making between two hypotheses. He terms this decision as an option and classifies options into three categories: 1) living or dead, 2) forced or avoidable, and 3) momentous or trivial. He considers a genuine option to be one that belongs to the forced, living, or momentous type.
A living option is when both hypotheses are seen as plausible and appealing to the person considering them. According to James, a live hypothesis is one that is perceived as real by the individual it is proposed to. If there is no alternative presented with a choice, it becomes a forced option. Additionally, if faced with a unique option that may not be available again, it becomes a significant choice. James argues that there are two ways to approach our duty as seekers of knowledge: knowing the truth and avoiding error. This sets him apart from Clifford, who believes that avoiding error is more important than knowing the truth. Clifford’s perspective suggests that truth is constantly changing and emphasizes the need to prevent belief in falsehoods. On the other hand, James encourages us to boldly pursue the truth even if it means being uncertain at times. He attributes this mindset to our passionate nature and explains one of the conditions he previously mentioned. According to James, if an option does not fall under momentous, forced or living categories, we have the freedom to disregard it until sufficient evidence is presented for making an informed decision. The collective achievement of a goal or decision involves considering faith. James explains that believing beyond evidence is necessary because each individual’s commitment alone cannot achieve the goalThe foundation for the second condition he introduced is based on the collective belief and faith in each other’s ability to fulfill responsibilities within the group.
James explores the concept of religion and emphasizes the significance of considering all possibilities. He suggests that when religion is being discussed, it signifies its relevance to those engaging in the discussion. The topic holds great importance as it demands personal beliefs that cannot be postponed or dismissed until additional evidence emerges. Not believing in religion results in missing out on its potential benefits, while believing in it has the same impact as actively choosing disbelief. Therefore, religion introduces a quandary that surpasses human intellect as it cannot provide a definitive resolution. Thus, the ultimate condition is that belief is necessary to pursue the truth in this matter; otherwise, we risk neglecting a potential reality.
I strongly agree with William James and his three conditions for believing beyond evidence. These conditions consider the complexity of human nature and allow our emotions and intuitions to be part of the decision-making process, which can be difficult to quantify. James also emphasizes the importance of allowing our souls to participate in our beliefs and encourages us to believe in order to find evidence. This approach allows for a holistic perspective and recognizes that our entire being is involved in our choices. In contrast, William K. Clifford’s approach to life seems vague and conservative. He seems inclined to rely only on tangible evidence and tends to doubt whatever he finds. I find it lacking that Clifford does not establish specific rules or parameters for his way of thinking. While his stories do illustrate his reasoning, they may not provide a complete understanding of his concept. James, on the other hand, presents us with clear options and conditions that guide us in our beliefs. His bold approach to life demonstrates a genuine passion for living, which resonates with me personally. I prefer to embrace the unknown and seek the truth rather than avoiding potential mistakes that may arise from doing so.
