Is belief knowledge? Why or why not?

Answer 1

No, they are two separate, and mutually exclusive, cognitive functions.

Belief regards thinks that are unproven or unsupported. While knowledge regards thinks that are certain and backed up. This does not mean that knowledge is flawless, one can "know" something, based on existing evidence, and then new evidence can show that it was wrong. Actually, that is the main difference between knowledge and beleif. Knowledge can be proven wrong, a beleif can not. The worst that you can do to a beleif is to convince the beleiver to change their mind.

Answer 2

I would say so, for myself.
I cant belief at thing unless I have a knowledge and a proved of the thing.

As it is in a R&S section, then faith is not just a belief for me.
Faith to me is a force based on what I believe through knowledge that came from experiences.

Answer 3

No, they are not the same, but they aren't mutually exclusive, either.

I can believe anything I choose to. That doesn't mean I know it to be true. Belief comes more from an emotional place For example -- the belief that all people are naturally or inherently good. Its a belief, its a hope even -- but its one of those things that you can never KNOW.

Ideally, your beliefs should be backed the knowledge you have of the things that you know, without a doubt, to be true.

Answer 4

The belief is knowledge to the believer.

Answer 5

No. Belief is only necessary in the absence of knowledge. It's a contradiction of terms when people say they can know through faith or belief. That's not knowledge, its an assumption.

Answer 6

Since beliefs are vastly different I would say no. BUT I also know that science keeps changing it's mind regarding many things. So is what science tells us today a belief or knowledge?

Answer 7

What a great question! Let me think.
BELIEF
Let's look at what the dictionary says....
1: a state or habit of mind in which trust or confidence is placed in some person or thing
2: something believed; especially : a tenet or body of tenets held by a group
3: conviction of the truth of some statement or the reality of some being or phenomenon especially when based on examination of evidence
KNOWLEDGE
1 obsolete : cognizance
2 a (1): the fact or condition of knowing something with familiarity gained through experience or association (2): acquaintance with or understanding of a science, art, or technique b (1): the fact or condition of being aware of something (2): the range of one's information or understanding c: the circumstance or condition of apprehending truth or fact through reasoning : cognition d: the fact or condition of having information or of being learned
3 archaic : sexual intercourse
4 a: the sum of what is known : the body of truth, information, and principles acquired by humankind b archaic : a branch of learning
SO IT LOOKS LIKE we do not have too big of a difference is there? Belief is based on "conviction of the truth of some statement or the reality of some being or phenomenon especially when based on examination of evidence" and knowledge is "the fact or condition of knowing something with familiarity gained through experience or association"
FOR EXAMPLE
We could believe that we can jump off a tall building and fly without any support (jet packs, etc) but the knowledge that all things are affected by the 'law of gravity' keeps us from actually doing it. But if we continue to believe that one day we can conquer gravity through gaining knowledge about gravity we WILL.
MY OPINION

Thanks for the question

Answer 8

No. You need Knowledge to attain to a belief. You can not grow beyond what you have been taught. You can not believe in something, if you have not first learned about it. Belief is a substancial faith in a certain aspect, teaching or way of life or fact.

God bless

Answer 9

Knowledge is a step up from belief, belief is not knowing and not being able to know without faith, knowledge is knowing and being able to scientifically prove it.

Answer 10

Belief is a personal (somehow inadequate) unsupported by evidence knowledge.

According to Plato, knowledge is a subset of that which is both true and believed.

To know something you have first to believe in it, you can't say I know this but I don't believe in it. But if you believe in something, it doesn't mean that you really know it.