Knowledge, Faith and Belief
In the dictionary, knowledge, faith and belief are closely connected with each other. Have you ever thought about how knowledge, faith and belief are similar and how they differ? To some people they are closely aligned. But perhaps, like me, you see them as similar, but with strong differences. Possibly you see them as totally different or even impossible to relate with each other. My theory is that each person has an individual perspective on this topic, and I would like your input. Please read the discussion below and respond by answering the survey questions at the end. It will only take a few seconds. Thank you.
I would like to know how you rate a given claim or concept. What does it take for you to say, "I know that to be a fact." If you can say that, would you rate that piece of information as knowledge, faith or belief? Which is word is strongest, in your opinion? Which word, of the three, requires the highest measure of confidence on your part? I would like to hear your thoughts on this.
Does your perception of these three words depend on your personality? Perhaps you are naturally self assured and think you know things when you really don't. Have you ever found yourself to be totally wrong about something you were totally sure about? The thing you thought you knew, the thing you regarded as knowledge turned out to be an embarrassing mistake. Maybe you are just plain wrong in your thinking and your knowledge is backward and erroneous most of the time. Can your personality is such that you don't trust your knowledge, faith or belief in anything?
Webster lists eight definitions for knowledge including acquantance with facts, practical experience and a clear and certain perception of something. The synonyms listed include learning, understanding and lore.
To me, knowledge is the facts, concepts and ideas of which I personally have an in-depth understanding. The extent of this understanding is such that I can rely fully on that knowledge. Words, theories and information recorded in a book, or some other medium, is incomplete, partial and lacking until it becomes my knowledge. I feel a need to examine a thing and develop a practical, useful and valuable understanding of it before I allow myself to rate my growing appreciation of it as knowledge.
Is a mere acquaintance with a fact sufficient for you to claim knowledge of it? Do you consistently apply the word to materials accumulated in a library or museum? Have you ever said, "I enjoyed my visit to the library. They had so much knowledge there it was exciting!"
Webster lists seven definitions for faith, four of which incorporate the idea of belief. While religion goes practically unmentioned in the definitions for knowledge, two definitions of faith mention it explicitly. An element of absolutism appears in the definitions. One definition is "unquestioning belief". A second emphasizes the point. It says, "unquestioning belief in God, religion, etc. Faith is also defined as "complete trust, confidence, or reliance..." Synonyms listed include conviction, creed, doctrine and opinion.
The other definitions of faith pertain to ideas of religion or loyalty. Recently, religions have been referred to in the press and political circles as faith communities. In the past faith has been used as a synonym for church or denomination. I seldom use the word faith in either of those ways. I prefer to be more specific and precise. I merely recognize that some people use the word in those ways.
Back to the earlier thought. To me, faith is not always encumbered by absolutist connotations. I think faith allows some questioning and uncertainty.
Is it possible to have faith if you have a questioning attitude? Do some people have a naturally curious and questioning personality that precludes them from having true faith?
I would say it is possible to have faith in a proposition and still allow for some questioning and discussion of the merits and demerits of the assertion. For the sake of argument, I would allow the word faith to be applied to my view of a matter if the certainty approached 99 percent. This is, of course, my personal opinion. How do you feel about it?
Now for belief. Webster lists 6 definitions of belief, which are remarkably similar to those for faith except that the absolute adjectives, such as "unquestioning" are missing. The definition that comes closest to this notion has the qualifier "in theology": "in theology, faith, or a firm persuation of the truths of a religion." Of the eight synonyms given for belief, six are also given as synonyms for faith. Along this same thought, faith is listed as a synonym for belief and belief is listed as a synonym for faith.
Similar to the case with faith, belief can be used to denote the thing believed or the object of the belief.
Knowledge, faith and belief are similar in that they all relate to how much you rely on them as a basis for your thoughts, words and behavior. Most people rank these in their thinking. Please send me a short note and tell me your reaction to this short essay.
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