People have always attached great importance to beliefs and especially to systems of beliefs,
like political and religious ideologies. These belief systems have historically
garnered hundreds of millions, even billions, of followers worldwide. The existence of
such broad-based support for these ideas might cause people to think they are benign
and beneficial, but, in reality, they are not! Let me explain why.
First, any discussion of beliefs should begin with a definition. I propose that a belief is
“the mental acceptance of the truth, actuality, or validity of something, often without
concrete proof”.* It is important to understand that people formulate and hold beliefs
about almost everything under the sun, from political, religious, and social issues; to
personal values and relationships; to the direction of the economy and stock market; to
the best way to live, and even to matters of taste and style. Beliefs are a powerful
motivating force behind what people think, how they behave, how they conduct their
lives, and what actions they take as citizens of a country and the world. As a result,
beliefs often impel people to act; and, through action, they create consequences,
sometimes dramatic consequences.
Second, while beliefs can often be very influential in peoples’ lives, it is necessary for us
to remember that not all beliefs are important. Many are significant for the belief holder
only. For example, beliefs about matters of personal taste, like what fast food chain
makes the best hamburgers and fries; or beliefs about individual life issues, like what
constitutes true personal happiness or an ideal career, may be crucial to the individuals
holding them, but they may not be important to anyone else.
However, once the impact of beliefs moves beyond one’s own immediate circle of
influence and enters the public domain, then they can and do take on much greater
importance. If beliefs are being used as tools to influence, manipulate, and control
others; if they are being aggressively marketed as ultimate or inerrant truths; or if they
are being forcibly imposed on others, then they become matters of great significance. In
these situations, beliefs can have horrific consequences for our world, often leading to
the mass murder, repression, or brutalization of millions. Therefore, what one believes
really does matter, because beliefs can and do ultimately hurt other people and the
community at large.
Third, psychology and neuroscience tell us that our beliefs are deeply rooted in our
mental and psychological processes and come from sources that we think we can trust.
Most of us are convinced our beliefs are absolutely correct. However, this may not be
true. The reality is that few beliefs are ever subjected to the kind of analysis, peer
review, and vetting that is required to make sure they are objectively accurate. Most are
just opinions, judgments, or faith-based positions that describe how someone feels.
They are generally not based on any verifiable or falsifiable information.
As a consequence, it is highly probable that much of what we believe is either
completely incorrect, partly incorrect, or at least highly debatable. While many may
recoil at the idea that their cherished beliefs may not be right, we have to remember that
many of the most important beliefs that men have held, fought and died for throughout
history have proven to be utterly without merit. For example, major political ideologies,
like communism, fascism, and biological racism, which were once whole-heartedly
embraced by tens and hundreds of millions of people, have now been completely
discredited as ideologies; and all have failed as political experiments.
Going forward, we can no longer assume that it is perfectly acceptable to believe
whatever we want or need or are told to believe without regard to its cost to society or
its relationship to the facts and evidence. We must become sophisticated critical
evaluators of all beliefs.