In Defence of "Belief"

A Cognitive Response to Behaviourism, Eliminativism, and Social Constructivism

Authors

  • Jonathan A. Lanman Centre for Anthropology & Mind, Institute of Cognitive & Evolutionary Anthropology, University of Oxford, UK

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21301/eap.v3i3.3

Keywords:

belief, science of belief, cognitive science

Abstract

The cognitive science of religion seeks to explain reli­gious beliefs.  Yet "belief" as a term has been criticised by many anthropologists, psychologists, and philosophers.  The main criti­cisms of "belief" are that beliefs are unobservable, that they do not exist, and that the word ‘belief’ is a western construct unsuitable for comparative use.  All of these criticisms may seem to render a "sci­ence of belief" naïve and mistaken.  Utilizing the work of the cog­nitive sciences, and the philosophical view of functionalism that underlies them, I will offer a minimal definition of belief that will allow for a science of belief and withstand such criticisms.

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Published

2008-12-01

How to Cite

Lanman, Jonathan A. 2008. “In Defence of ‘Belief’: A Cognitive Response to Behaviourism, Eliminativism, and Social Constructivism”. Etnoantropološki Problemi Issues in Ethnology and Anthropology 3 (3):49-62. https://doi.org/10.21301/eap.v3i3.3.