what is the difference between a philosophy and a belief?

Answer 1

Yo Greg
A philosophy is a set of judgements accepted by an individual to be the guide for their actions and living processes within the social order --- these judgements
can be "tweaked" and can change as a person's experiences and knowledge of things change !!

A belief, on the other hand, is a Prime Directive for the individual and is a "chipped in stone" factor that plays an intricate part in the shaping of the philosophy that the individual lives by !! Beliefs are hardly ever changed once accepted AS beliefs !! They are the core accepted facts that an individual has taken to be the ultimate truths !!

Answer 2

In a "strict" sense a philosophy is a well thought out way of thinking about something, while a belief may just blindly accept what it thinks is true. Generically a belief or system of beliefs is a philosophy.

Often people who believe without understanding philosophy are blindly placing their faith in a total unknown.

Edit: Look up the definitions of Philosophy and Belief -- essentially Philosophy is the study of thoughts i.e. why we believe or think the way we think. Logic, Ethics and Religion are some of the topics that it covers. Most people will assume that Ethics is the morality that *they* follow, but this is not true; there are many systems of Ethics ranging from "god told me this is right" to "if it feels good do it".

Answer 3

Well you can break it down like this. A belief is an opinion. A backing of unknown truth. Philosophy, is studying that opinion. Trying to prove that in some way or another it's true. Sometimes, the outcome isn't found. Some "truths" remain philosophy for quite a while. They are one in the same.

Answer 4

Philosophy by its definition is the love of wisdom pursued by intellectual study and moral self-discipline.
To me that description indicates that a philosophy is derived through education and logical thought processes while a belief can be based upon any whim whatsoever and requires no logic as its premise. A belief can be taught as in a religious academy or church but will always depend upon faith to support it and may be relatively rigid in its tenets where a philosophy is more flexible and open to amendment and revision as education provides further informantion.

Answer 5

Originally Philosophy covered all branches of Intellectual Science,but over time traditional branches of philosophy have acquired their own status as seperate areas of study. To have a phlosophical point of view actually should apply to these theories. But is often generalised these days. A belief usually is aimed at a singular piece of evidence ie, creed, credo, idea, ism, dogma, faith, tenet,religion etc.Philosophy explores all the avenues.Belief confines one to narrow lanes.

Answer 6

A philosophy is a system of beliefs.

Answer 7

A philosophy is a belief based on a person's observations.

A general belief can be based on anything.

Answer 8

A philosophy is your outlook on, and the way you live your life.

A belief is just that. It is like a belief that there is a god. Now that might affect your philosophy a lot. But they are different things.

Answer 9

I think of a philosophy as a way of viewing something. A belief is more concrete.

To give an example, you don't have a philosophy that water molecules are composed of 2 hydorgen and one oxygen atom, it is a belief (a well supported one of course for those who are nit picky).

Answer 10

phi·los·o·phy
. 1. the rational investigation of the truths and principles of being, knowledge, or conduct.
2. any of the three branches, namely natural philosophy, moral philosophy, and metaphysical philosophy, that are accepted as composing this study.
3. a system of philosophical doctrine: the philosophy of Spinoza.
4. the critical study of the basic principles and concepts of a particular branch of knowledge, esp. with a view to improving or reconstituting them: the philosophy of science.
5. a system of principles for guidance in practical affairs.
6. a philosophical attitude, as one of composure and calm in the presence of troubles or annoyances.

be·lief
1. something believed; an opinion or conviction: a belief that the earth is flat.
2. confidence in the truth or existence of something not immediately susceptible to rigorous proof: a statement unworthy of belief.
3. confidence; faith; trust: a child's belief in his parents.
4. a religious tenet or tenets; religious creed or faith: the Christian belief.