Belief systems shape how we understand reality. They are interconnected networks of ideas that don’t always accurately represent truth. Examining and evolving our beliefs, while challenging, is crucial for personal growth and social progress.
A belief system is a network of beliefs we hold about what is, or should be, right and wrong, and what is, or should be, true and false.
It is a highly coherent, though not totally coherent, system of beliefs that relies on a few underlying assumptions (core beliefs) about reality that may or may not be true. Thus, it does not necessarily represent reality accurately. In fact, it never does.
Belief systems are not necessarily religious
People often talk about belief systems as if they were solely religious, but they don’t have to be religious or spiritual.
We have religious, political, societal, philosophical, or spiritual belief systems, among others.
What is meant by a system of beliefs?
A belief system is more than a collection of beliefs. What makes it different is that the beliefs are interconnected. It is a system of beliefs.
It is a highly coherent but not entirely consistent network in which constituent beliefs support each other logically and largely do not contradict one another.
Given this, adopting a new belief or changing an existing one is likely to affect the whole system and potentially increase incoherence.
Suppose the belief that changes is a deeply held core belief. In other words, it is highly connected to other beliefs whose integrity depends on it. In this case, the change is likely to be highly disruptive, as many other beliefs will need to change to restore the system’s coherence.
| Robert Lawrence Kuhn
Our beliefs are not isolated pieces of data that we can take and discard at will.
Instead, beliefs are deeply intertwined with other beliefs, shared cultural values, and our identities.
To discard a belief means discarding a whole host of other beliefs, forsaking our communities, going against those we trust and love, and in short, challenging our identities.
According to this view, is it any wonder that providing people with a little information about GMOs, vaccines, or global warming have little impact on their beliefs and attitudes?
The power that culture has over cognition just swamps these attempts at education.
By understanding the nature of our belief systems, we can shape them. We should commit to regularly examining our beliefs with curiosity and courage. Through open, honest dialogue, we can broaden our perspectives and build belief systems that serve us and society well.
Posts that link to this post
- Conversational Capacities Prerequisites to a good conversation
- Talk with Strangers Why and how should you talk with strangers?
- What Are Beliefs? Ideas that are held to be true but not necessarily supported by any evidence
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