quote:
Let's consider a drug test. Bob smoked weed last week and none of his coworkers know it. They don't think he smokes weed because he doesn't seem like the type. Bob gets called in for a drug test. It's a fact that he smoked weed and will fail the test, but his coworkers believe that he will pass. "Belief" and "fact" don't necessarily have to occupy distinct moments in time. There can be a fact, and a belief about the fact. At least that's how I look at it.

In this scenario it is a belief that Bob will fail his drug test.

Until the results are verified at a distinct moment in time it is just a belief.

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Posted by Hog on the Hill

Member since Jun 2009

13389 posts

Posted on 12/22/14 at 11:24 am to Porkchop Express

quote:
In this scenario it is a belief that Bob will fail his drug test.

Until the results are verified at a distinct moment in time it is just a belief.

I guess the better example is just the shell game, because it leaves out little complications like the possibility of a false negative on a drug test. Let's go back to the shell game.

The person moving the shells knows the ball is under the second shell, because he intentionally moved it there. It's a fact that the ball is under the second shell.

I believe the ball is under the third shell, because unbeknownst to me, the shell-mover used sleight of hand to trick me into thinking that's where it went.

I have a belief, that happens to be false, that the ball is under the third shell. The fact is, known to the shell-mover, that the ball is under the second shell. The fact and the false belief exist contemporaneously.

I think I've explained my thoughts as clearly as I can, so I'll make this my last post about it.

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