I think that they are completely separate. Knowing implies certainty. I can believe something for which I have little evidence but not know it to be true. Belief depends on actions by a human being. It does no use to "believe" something unless you can act or must act in such a way as to follow the consequences of a belief. For that reason, I could believe something; but not know it to be true. I am an agnostic atheist. I don't believe God exists -- but -- I don't know that he is non-existent for sure.
2006-10-04 19:31:07 · 8 answers · asked by doogsdc 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Belief can come from knowing/seeing/perceiving but it is usually tied to concepts, feelings or other vague sources.
One interesting thing about ancient Greek is that there are different words for knowing from seeing, perceiving by different methods, learning by different ways. Thinking about that array of verbs to be more accurate about knowing was an education in itself. no wonder they had such great philosophers. They had the language for it.
2006-10-04 19:43:24 · answer #1 · answered by Susan M 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Belief is an idea about what is true, knowledge supports belief. Knowledge isn't necessarily a certainty, but it's an account of what is understood to be true.
Hundreds of years ago people knew the world was flat. Based on what they could observed this was their knowledge. We know now that they were wrong, but at the time it was generally accepted.
2006-10-05 09:04:21 · answer #2 · answered by ChooseRealityPLEASE 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Knowing is a subset of belief. You can never be 100% certian about anything. I could come up with a explination for things that have a probability so smalll that it can be assumed to be 0. According to the laws of physics it is possible for all the air molicules in a room to shift to one side of the room. The problem with this is it would be so improbable it wont happen. So I know that it wont happen but it doesn't mean that it can't. You can believe something with out any evidence but normally you do have some.
2006-10-05 02:51:14 · answer #3 · answered by anonomous 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Usually, knowing deals with things that have been seen or recorded, either directly or by a credited source. Something that has been proven real. Belief is more where you make assumptions based on partial knowledge.
2006-10-05 02:35:04 · answer #4 · answered by drink_more_powerade 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No they are not the same thing. A belief is an idea held by faith without proof. Knowledge is having an experience that removes all doubt by providing proof.
2006-10-05 02:36:08 · answer #5 · answered by Nora Explora 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think you meant "faith". Surely faith is not the same as knowing but can be just as powerful. I know the football Saints are 3-1. I have faith that they will be 4-1 by Monday. I know I am here. (im pinching myself.) I have faith that God is too.
2006-10-05 02:50:49 · answer #6 · answered by Kenny B 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i know that santa does not exist, but every year when i put my christmas tree up there is a little of does santa exist in me? my kids are 21 and 13 and know there is no santa. but i know he is
ot there or is he? i do kinda believe!!!!!!!!!!
by the way i am 47![how magical were my childhood years]
2006-10-05 03:00:01 · answer #7 · answered by marynew 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
ok you are agnostic then. I agree beleave in some thing may not be knowlage. but generaly with out the beleave first you will not get the knowlage that is certainly true in christianity.
2006-10-05 02:37:25 · answer #8 · answered by Mim 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋