The psychology of reasoning / by W.B. Pillsbury.

  • Pillsbury, W. B. (Walter Bowers), 1872-1960.
Date:
1910
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The psychology of reasoning / by W.B. Pillsbury. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    ance without question. Certain of our beliefs then may depend in part upon the intensity and vividness of mental states, but this quality is not to be regarded as important. The excep- tions are fully as important as the rule. Bain formulated the next of the more signifi- cant types of theory. This has two independ- ent criteria or explanations of belief. The first is his suggestion that to ask why we believe is to put the less important and less easily answered of two possible questions. For belief is the natural process, psychologically—is nega- tive ; while doubt is positive. We believe every- thing that comes to consciousness unopposed. What requires explanation is doubt. Belief is the original process in the mind of the child. He does not doubt until he has accumulated a considerable amount of knowledge, until he has attained a relatively high stage in the develop- ment of intelligence. The other phase of this theory, that action is the test of belief, has had even a larger place historically. We believe anything that we are prepared to act upon. Belief comes with action however action may have been initiated. The first mentioned char- acteristic of belief may be derived from this, for from the beginning there is a natural ten-