A belief just is an attitude to the world (or a mental state if you like) when rendered as a statement. — jamalrob
So the next observation might be that, because we can be mistaken, what we take to be the case is distinct from what is the case. — Banno
there is no particular neural network that in some sense corresponds to or represents my cat's taking it that the floor is solid. — Banno
there is no particular neural network that in some sense corresponds to or represents my cat's taking it that the floor is solid.
— Banno
Where are you getting that idea from? — Isaac
The belief that the cat is in kitchen has merely been replaced with one that she is in the hall. — Isaac
If we must find a place in my cat's neural network for his taking the floor to be solid, it will be evident in such things as his capacity to make his legs work in such a way as to walk across the floor, to jump, run, and otherwise to engage with a solid floor. — Banno
What gives the cat confidence the floor is solid so that it moves its legs confidently across it? It's not the ability to move legs confidently. — Marchesk
Isn't it? Isn't that precisely how a neural network does learn, by reinforcing specific outcomes? — Banno
...concepts... — Marchesk
Think it through. Are you going to argue that there is a particular neural net of some sort for the floor's being solid? Another for the cup being in the cupboard? Another for there being a poppy in the front garden and another for that poppy being pink? One for each of the innumerable unstated things that are taken as true as I get up to open the window? — Banno
One for every conceivable belief that might be stated? — Banno
And what I proposed is not behaviourism. — Banno
In treating beliefs as what is taken to be the case, we stop treating belief as a thing and start seeing it as a way of behaving. — Banno
The fundamental misapprehension of which I spoke is evident in the very phrasing that "there are linguistic and prelinguistic beliefs". It's not clear how this could even be stated in terms of what is taken to be the case and what is not...
That's the long-term objection I've had to much of what creativesoul has to say on this topic. — Banno
find the concept so incredulous. — Isaac
In treating beliefs as what is taken to be the case, we stop treating belief as a thing and start seeing it as a way of behaving. — Banno
It's a common misunderstanding. — Banno
and...? — Banno
The ability to solve problems, assuming it's not just trial and error, means having some understanding of the world that can be manipulated in novel ways. — Marchesk
Alright then try: I have no clear idea what "there are non linguistic and linguistic beliefs" could be saying.
If it is saying that there are beliefs that have not been expressed in language, then it is trivial and I agree.
If it is saying that there are beliefs that cannot be expressed in language, then I think it wrong.
If it is saying something else, then I know not what. — Banno
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