Understanding beliefs

by Nilsson, Nils J.

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Title Statements

Full title :Understanding beliefs / Nils J. Nilsson.

Summary

"Our beliefs constitute a large part of our knowledge of the world. We have beliefs about objects, about culture, about the past, and about the future. We have beliefs about other people, and we believe that they have beliefs as well. We use beliefs to predict, to explain, to create, to console, to entertain. Some of our beliefs we call theories, and we are extraordinarily creative at constructing them. Theories of quantum mechanics, evolution, and relativity are examples. But so are theories about astrology, alien abduction, guardian angels, and reincarnation. All are products (with varying degrees of credibility) of fertile minds trying to find explanations for observed phenomena. In this book, Nils Nilsson examines beliefs: what they do for us, how we come to hold them, and how to evaluate them."--

Edition Statements

Publication Date:2014

Publication Statements

Publisher(s):MIT Press
Place of Publication:Cambridge, Massachusetts
Language:eng
Publication Date:2014

The Physical Object

Description:xiv, 151 pages : : illustrations ; : 18 cm

Edition Identifiers

ISBN:9780262526432, 0262526433, 9780262321129, 0262321122
oclc:ocn868000235
LC Classification:BD215
Dewey Decimal:121/.6

Beliefs, knowledge, and models -- What do beliefs do for us? -- Where do beliefs come from? -- Evaluating beliefs -- In all probability -- Reality and truth -- The scientific method -- Robot beliefs -- Belief traps.