Philosopher's Zone Belief, emotion and trust
May 22, 2025
Miriam Schleifer-McCormick, a Professor of ethics and chair of the philosophy department at the University of Richmond, shares her groundbreaking ideas on belief. She argues that belief is not merely a rational construct but closely intertwined with emotions. As she challenges traditional views, she emphasizes the emotional complexity of beliefs in contexts like religion and politics. The discussion highlights how beliefs can shape our identity and emotional landscapes, urging a deeper understanding of belief as a fundamental emotional experience.
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Belief Beyond Pure Cognition
- Traditional philosophy sees belief as purely cognitive and evidence-based, separate from emotion.
- Miriam Schleifer-McCormick challenges this by suggesting beliefs also reveal something about ourselves and are more complex.
Limitations of Standard Belief View
- The standard view of belief as evidence-responsive and predictive of action excludes many beliefs like political and religious ones.
- Such "edge cases" reveal the standard view's narrowness and the complexity of how we actually believe.
Belief's Emotional Complexity
- Edge cases like conspiracy theories and religious faith show beliefs resist evidence, reflecting emotional investment.
- Believing involves evaluations and value judgments akin to emotional stands, not just factual processing.
