Belief
When someone mentions belief one of the first things to pop into the mind is religion. It is among the first things because it is ubiquitous. Because it is so common we fail to recognise that it is a quite exceptional use of belief. First, some definitions. Belief : A choice about the veracity of a concept. I believe this something to be true. I believe that something to be false. Faith : the strength of conviction about a belief. Knowing : a state of belief where faith is 100%. Religion sets as its ideal a state of unquestionable knowing with no evidence (and in spite of any and all contradictory evidence). Science sets as its ideal a quest for knowing with hard repeatable evidence to back it up. Beliefs form the lens through which we view the world. And how we view the world determines how we interact with it. When you go to the stair case and put your foot out you don't even have to think about gravity pulling you down as you take the step. You know it's going to happen. Whe...