3.5 Critical Thinking and Religious Belief Flashcards

Flashcards on Critical Thinking and Religious Belief

Clifford's Moral Imperative

It is wrong always, everywhere, and for anyone, to believe anything upon insufficient evidence.

Agnosticism

The belief that the existence or non-existence of God is unknowable.

William James

Philosopher who defends religious belief against Clifford's principle under certain conditions.

Peter van Inwagen

Contemporary philosopher who defends religious belief against Clifford's principle.

Forced Option

A decision where agnosticism or non-belief is not a neutral option, and inaction implies a choice.

Momentous Option

A decision that is significantly important and can have life-altering consequences.

Decidable by Intellect

A situation where evidence and reason can determine the correctness of a belief.

Self-Fulfilling Beliefs

Beliefs that influence behavior in such a way as to create their own evidence or outcome.

Placebo Effect

A beneficial effect produced by a placebo drug or treatment, which cannot be attributed to the properties of the placebo itself, and must therefore be due to the patient's belief in that treatment.

Leap of Faith

Choosing to believe in religion on the basis of emotions/passions in the absence of sufficient evidence.

Difference Principle

The assumption that religious belief uniquely fails to live up to Clifford’s principle (whereas, science, philosophy, politics, and morality accord with it).

Private Insight

The idea that a private or incommunicable thought or experience could be a kind of evidence.