A Web of Belief

In regards to epistemology, Philosopher Willard V. Quine described the human mind as a “Web of Belief.” Along the lines of the metaphor, our foundational beliefs are points near the center of this web, which when held consistently, branch off (via implication) into more beliefs. As we move through life and encounter successes and failures, our web grows, shrinks, and reforms. On the outskirts, these transitions can be easily, emotionally and mentally, maneuvered (Ex: The belief that it is or is not raining). Changes toward the center of the web, however, create a ripple effect upon the web itself (Ex: Shifting toward or away from the belief that a God is the cause of everything, including whether or not is raining); consistency dictates that changes of this sort will cause some beliefs to be cut off from implication, which will require the discovery of a new justification or replacement belief (for better or worse). Philosopher Otto Neurath described this process using the analogy of building a boat at sea, one plank at a time (perhaps it is no accident that such changes feel like a fight against drowning). Quine argues that our beliefs are held in place or adopted with regard to five principles: modesty (a belief that is modest is less likely to be false), generality (a belief that is general will be more useful), refutability (a belief that is refutable will be more useful), simplicity (a belief that is simple is less likely to be false), and conservatism (a belief that is compatible with underlying beliefs will be better justified than unsupported alternatives). Since to prove this theory would require serious considerations that can and have filled books, I will instead posit it as my background theory in which all others must be compatible. The purpose of this blog is to more or less illustrate my Web of Belief in order to check for consistency of thought in light of those who oppose my views and the process itself. I will address such topics as truth, God, government, law, abortion, human relationships, et cetera.

Disclaimers: “On the Shoulders of Mountains and Men” will be dedicated to the contents of my mind in relation and pursuit of truth. But before I delve into any interesting topics, it seems as though I should first address the title. It is as pretentious a title as one can get—ideally this very sentence will come off in the same vein. As I will explain, the purpose of this blog is to expose my thoughts and beliefs to criticism (hopefully constructive). I will do my best to avoid such pretentious tones, but hopefully, I will eventually show how such an attitude does not apply. Nonetheless the title is somewhat over the top, but I stand by it. Admittedly, I like the way it sounds, but there is also actual purpose. I have named this work “On the Shoulders of Mountains and Men” for two reasons. First, I have been accused in formal and informal debates and discussions of ignoring the impact of my environment—that is the accusation that I am some sort of idealist. I hope that this title will put my arguments, and beliefs into perspective: even though I will be focusing on the content of my beliefs, I recognize that my views are dependent upon my environment. Secondly, I am also aware that my views expressed may not be original or groundbreaking. Indeed, I will often blatantly allude to the views of others; my goal here will be truth, not creativity or imagination. I will be focusing on sincerely expressing what and why my beliefs are, rather than creating an endless list of who thought of what first. In cases where I either remember or it is somehow pertinent, I will do my best to attribute the idea, if possible, to the original source(s).

The following posts will contain my mind, or my “Web of Belief.”