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English

Volitionism and Voluntarism about Belief

ContributorsEngel, Pascal
Published inBelief, Cognition, and the Will, Editors Meijers, Anthonie, p. 9-25
PublisherTilburg : Tilburg University
Collection
  • Studies in general philosophy of science; 6
Publication date1999
Abstract

I argue that one should not confuse two issues about the relationship between belief and the will: the psychological issue of whether we can believe at will ("volitionism"), and the normative issue of whether one should believe at will ("voluntarism"). Voluntarism implies volitionism, but not conversely. Strong volitionism, the view that we can decide to believe at will as the result of an action, irrespective of epistemic concerns, is wrong. A weak form of volitionism, however, is true, which allows that some judgments are actions when they are governed by epistemic concerns. I reject strong voluntarism, the view that practical reasons for believing might override epistemic reasons, but argue for a weak form of voluntarism, where epistemic norms govern intentions and plans.

Keywords
  • Belief
  • Volition
  • Voluntarism
Affiliation Not a UNIGE publication
Citation (ISO format)
ENGEL, Pascal. Volitionism and Voluntarism about Belief. In: Belief, Cognition, and the Will. Tilburg : Tilburg University, 1999. p. 9–25. (Studies in general philosophy of science)
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Book chapter
accessLevelPublic
Identifiers
  • PID : unige:5015
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