Question

If something seems plausible to me, and I decide to act on it as though it were true while recognizing that I could be mistaken, do I believe it? And what if the probabilities are flipped? What if I choose to behave as though a remote possibility is true while recognizing that it almost certainly isn't? Do I believe it?

Answer 1

Belief is subjective and based on personal conviction and assessment of evidence. Acting on something while recognizing the possibility of being mistaken suggests belief, but not certainty. Acting on a remote possibility that is almost certainly false indicates a lack of belief.

Step-by-step explanation:

Belief is a subjective state of mind, so whether or not you believe something is based on your personal conviction and assessment of the available evidence. If something seems plausible to you and you choose to act on it while recognizing the possibility of being mistaken, it can be said that you believe it to some extent. However, belief does not imply certainty or absolute conviction. On the other hand, if you choose to behave as though a remote possibility is true while recognizing that it almost certainly isn't, it is unlikely that you truly believe it because you are not convinced of its likelihood.