What is belief?

Question

What is happening in the brain when we believe something to be true or to be false?

Not, Why do we believe.

And, not, What a particular belief is about?

But, what is belief. What is it?

Not in any imaginary sense of that word, but what is occurring when the faculty of mind of belief is in operation?

Am I making myself clear?

Answer 1

I understand the question.

It is a function of the brain, of course. The brain can only operate according to what it knows. Garbage in, garbage out. Nothing in...well, that's where speculation comes into play.

What I'm getting at is that the brain needs input, and the input will determine the conclusions that the brain reaches. If I know nothing about peanuts, and someone shows me one and tells me that it is a zierderoot, I will believe that because there is no competing input from anyone else. Now, if later in life people start telling me that this object is a peanut, my brain's first reaction will be to rummage through the information I have, realize that the input doesn't match what's in there, and either retain the original information or investigate the new information - this is why it is important for the brain to received accurate information, and the only way to ensure that it is accurate is to provide it with proof.

Belief is retaining and accepting certain claims as "fact" when the brain has received no other information to support those claims. A healthy brain does not function in this manner.

Answer 2

It is connected with trust, and peace of mind. I see it as a musical analogy of harmony. John 14:27 seems to say that YHVH gives peace, so maybe the above only applies to belief in Him.-- rather than belief of itself. not much help, but the best I can do at the moment.

Answer 3

Not really to the last question

You are trying to basically ask which faculty of the brain is responsible for the curiosity toward religion

Answer 4

simply put, belief is knowing without seeing.