Believes that

Definition

The phrase 'believes that' refers to a mental attitude in which a person holds a certain proposition or statement as true, even if it may not be objectively verifiable. This term is important in discussions of identity statements and opaque contexts, as it highlights how beliefs can influence understanding and interpretation, particularly when individuals are discussing or reasoning about the identities of objects or individuals in various scenarios.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. 'Believes that' can create opacity because it allows for scenarios where an individual may hold a belief that contradicts another person's understanding of truth.
2. In identity statements, when one person believes that A is B, it might not align with another person's perspective or knowledge about A and B.
3. The phrase emphasizes that belief is subjective; what one person believes may not necessarily reflect objective reality or shared understanding.
4. Belief can influence actions and decisions, leading to outcomes based on subjective interpretations rather than factual accuracy.
5. Understanding 'believes that' is crucial in philosophy and linguistics, especially when discussing mental states and their implications for language use and meaning.

Review Questions

• How does the phrase 'believes that' illustrate the concept of opaque contexts?
  • 'Believes that' is a key example of an opaque context because it shows how substituting terms can alter the truth of a statement. For instance, if someone believes that the morning star is the evening star, but they don't realize they are actually talking about Venus, replacing one term with another could change their belief's validity. This demonstrates how beliefs can create situations where knowledge and truth do not align.
• Discuss how identity statements can lead to misunderstandings when incorporating the term 'believes that'.
  • 'Believes that' can lead to misunderstandings in identity statements because what one person believes about identities may not correspond to another's perception. For instance, if person A believes that 'Mark Twain is Samuel Clemens', but person B believes they are two different people, their differing beliefs create confusion about identity. This illustrates how belief influences our interpretation of identity statements and can lead to miscommunication.
• Evaluate the significance of understanding 'believes that' in the context of propositional attitudes and their implications for discourse.
  • Understanding 'believes that' within propositional attitudes is significant because it shapes how we engage in discourse about truth and belief. When discussing beliefs, recognizing that individuals may have different interpretations based on their subjective experiences is crucial. This awareness helps facilitate more productive conversations by allowing participants to understand that what one believes might not reflect shared truths or facts. Ultimately, this understanding enhances clarity in communication and fosters deeper comprehension of each other's perspectives.

Related terms

Opaque Contexts: Situations in which the substitution of one expression for another can change the truth value of a statement, often seen in contexts involving belief or knowledge.

Identity Statements: Statements that assert the equivalence of two expressions, often used to explore how beliefs affect our understanding of identity.

Propositional Attitude: A mental state held by an individual towards a proposition, such as believing, hoping, or fearing something to be true.