Posted: April 2nd, 2015

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Introduction

           The Clifford/ James debate or philosophy has various elements attached to it. The most notable of the ideology is the fact that beliefs exist when they are evidenced. Essentially, the theory emphasizes the need for justification to back every belief. There are numerous words which have been used to describe the above mentioned theory. The most notable of these words is evidentialism. According to Clifford, to belief in something without evidence is immoral. In addition, Clifford indicated that the lack of evidence in belief is foolish.

There are different arguments which seek to dispute and contradict the Clifford’s theory. William James contends that a belief should not be based on evidence only. James has been seen to be an acknowledged critic of Clifford though their theories have been said to be very close. For James, the theory on believing in the truth is a very true fact of his theory. In assessing the theory of Clifford, it is clear that Clifford has his theory based on the fear of error. I strongly believe that the theory based on having sufficient evidence to back up a belief is not all practical and there are situations that the belief doesn’t t require evidence. The Clifford theory seems to have generalized the belief. According to Clifford beliefs dictate the individual’s behaviors in day to day activities. In his summation, the beliefs of individuals are intertwined with individual’s actions. That notion is highly obvious that human beings may not do things in life depending on their beliefs. In some circumstances, the room for doubt dictates that individual’s choose their actions depending on their doubts.

In situations whereby the belief conflicts with a doubt, the doubt takes precedence over the belief. A single belief according to Clifford is linked to numerous beliefs. I think that the said notion is overstretched and can not in any way confirm the significant of evidence in supporting a belief to be required every time. There are beliefs which have stood independently. The theory that a belief can be attached to those people who follow it is highly untrue. People can be living together or socially interacting but having different beliefs. The belief of a person may not affect the character of all people. I still maintain that the argument that a belief is held by a person in trust for the public is highly questionable since the public does not have beliefs. There are numerous misconception about beliefs has stated by Clifford.

On the other hand, on his literature to support the will to believe, William James states that living is an option whereby one chooses and the belief is guided by the option that one takes. He also maintains that there are situations that do not require choice and a person is forced to make those choices. I agree with William James concept of believe though there are claims that the person in question has extraordinary positive way of handling life rather than being forced to make decisions. The components he uses to support his ideology can be joined together to make a clear position.

Conclusion

The notion on belief by Clifford and James is not based on all true evidence. There are types of belief that do not require any evidence. The notion that beliefs are interlinked together is also not true since there are beliefs that stand independently.