Does it matter if what we believe is true or not?
A very colloquial answer for this profound question can very easily be “It depends”. But a
deeper investigation can lead us to very polarizing perspectives and answers which
ultimately, cannot be classified as correct or incorrect. Another factor that comes into place
when such vague, yet vast knowledge questions are expanded upon, is that they apply
thoroughly to several different subjects and situations. The theory of relativism states that
"there is no objective standard by which truth may be determined, so that truth varies with
individuals and circumstances"1 can very satisfactorily sum up the nuances of this question.
Supporting arguments for “belief does not affect fact” are reinforced heavily by the academic
subjects which tend to claim that fact cannot be affected by belief. This perspective comes
from a majorly academic ideology, as it can apply to various defined subjects such as those
that are concerned with reality and natural sciences.
Though the possible inaccuracies of those deductions researched – which are essentially the
product of their certain beliefs – can be in the form of exceptions that could not be recreated
under certain non-reproduceable conditions in a laboratory, that cannot probably be possible
on Earth itself. Often these belief-affected-deductions by scientists are considered as
scientific fact, therefore it is a loophole to the hypothesis that “belief does not affect fact” in
the subjective approach itself.
Another perspective that holds true to the same hypothesis is that of personal belief. Personal
belief that apparently cannot affect fact, supported by general life statements, for example “I
may believe with all my heart that I want it to snow tomorrow, but this will not guarantee
snow”. This personal belief refers to the common man’s rationality regarding everyday things
and it seems almost infallible in that regard, unless the statement “it’s true for me” is
considered. It is also a common statement that can be perceived as a factor in deliberating on
the ‘Fact versus Belief’ debate, which affects deeply personal and identificatory topics such
as religion, faith and patriotism. Each of these topics are polarizing in their variability of the
stances taken by people. Especially in religion, where orthodox societies believe so ardently
in the deities of their choice, that several scientific and social notions have been and still are
debated and combated such as the topic of the evolution of man, rights for women and
homosexual people and even the fact that the Earth is round. Belief and fact have bled into
each other most notably in religion as, a controversial topic for truly fiery debate is - religion
is belief, turned into a widespread agreement by societies that it is a fact.
An answer to this question would be an impossible amalgamation of these perspectives, that
can be rather briefly stated as – socially, belief affects the interpretation of fact, as belief has
the power to make fact inconsequential, as no one can believe it. Furthermore, it is an initial
belief in something that leads to it being accepted as a fact, scientifically and socially. Facts
do not exist independently as they are “known to be true” by human beings. Conclusively,
rational facts known by humans are in themselves, products of belief and need them to
support it. If what we believe in is not true, yet it is believed, is fact being inconsequential. If
what we believe is true, then the discovery of truth was guided by belief in it being true in the
first place.
1
David Elton Trueblood, Philosophy of Religion, p. 348
Bibliography
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https://www.bethinking.org/is-christianity-the-only-way/q-does-it-really-matter-whati-believe
https://medium.com/the-small-dark-light/is-it-true-that-whatever-you-believe-is-truefor-you-a65ed116d10a