Beliefs and Evidence.

Does the definition of evidence, start with belief, or is evidence needed to form belief. ?

Re: Beliefs and Evidence.

Belief really needs no evidence but most of us with belief have found enough evidence to convince us.

Re: Beliefs and Evidence.

Well you could believe in fairies but wthout evidence you can't prove they exist.

Re: Beliefs and Evidence.

I think it really involves experience.For example there is a term called"Religousity"which boils down to someone wanting to believe so badly in spite of the world around them, that there is a God or Jesus or Angels,that in spite of all the factual evidence that it is fake,yet they want to believe that it is real.That person believes they can talk to and have their lives dictated by a divine presence,or what they perceive as a divine entity.In reality it is a form of depression.

Re: Beliefs and Evidence.

We have beliefs in people, just by instinct really
I can't believe this wonderful planet was an accident, no one has proof that it was - so we each have our own theories - whether a scientist or not

Re: Beliefs and Evidence.

I think you have got yourself tangled up there somewhat.

Evidence is based on FACT.

Belief isn't based on fact.

They do not belong together I'm afraid.

Re: Beliefs and Evidence.

This is not straightforward to me. Evidence is proof.
I could believe someone is innocent for example, especially if I knew them well, even without proof or evidence. In court you would have to have the evidence though.

On the other hand, if you were referring to belief (or trust) in oneself, you wouldn't need evidence. Similar applies to those that believe in their religion without any concrete evidence of it being correct.

You could always have the initial feeling of belief and that might urge you on to find evidence of your belief. Does that make sense?

I think to sum it up, belief is a feeling, an emotion, a faith if you like.
Evidence is factual and more difficult to challenge.

Re: Beliefs and Evidence.

Not so sure evidence can't be challenged we see countless scientific findings rubbished by other scientists. They all I assume have evidence for their claims.

Re: Beliefs and Evidence.

So the meaning of words no longer has any meaning ?

Sort that out.

Re: Beliefs and Evidence.

Correct...

Belief is ....
'supposition :a belief held without proof or certain knowledge; an assumption or hypothesis'.