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The Ethics of Belief and Other Essays

William Kingdon Clifford

4/5 ( ratings)

It is wrong always, everywhere, and for anyone, to believe anything
upon insufficient evidence." -- W. K. Clifford
The above forthright assertion of mathematician and educator W. K. Clifford in his famous essay "The Ethics of Belief" drew an immediate response from Victorian-era critics, who took issue with his reasoned and brilliantly presented attack on beliefs "not founded on fair inquiry." An advocate of evolutionary theory, Clifford recognized that working hypotheses and assumptions are necessary for belief formation and that testing and assessing one's beliefs in light of new evidence strengthens those worthy of being held. "The Ethics of Belief" is presented here in complete form, along with an insightful biographical introduction by editor Timothy J. Madigan. Also included are four other noteworthy essays by Clifford: "On the Aims and Instruments of Scientific Thought," "Right and Wrong," "The Ethics of Religion," and "The Influence upon Morality of a Decline in Religious Belief.

Language: English

Pages: 140

Format: Paperback

Publisher: Prometheus Books

Release: May 01, 1999

ISBN: 1573926914

ISBN 13: 9781573926911

The Ethics of Belief and Other Essays

William Kingdon Clifford

4/5 ( ratings)

It is wrong always, everywhere, and for anyone, to believe anything
upon insufficient evidence." -- W. K. Clifford
The above forthright assertion of mathematician and educator W. K. Clifford in his famous essay "The Ethics of Belief" drew an immediate response from Victorian-era critics, who took issue with his reasoned and brilliantly presented attack on beliefs "not founded on fair inquiry." An advocate of evolutionary theory, Clifford recognized that working hypotheses and assumptions are necessary for belief formation and that testing and assessing one's beliefs in light of new evidence strengthens those worthy of being held. "The Ethics of Belief" is presented here in complete form, along with an insightful biographical introduction by editor Timothy J. Madigan. Also included are four other noteworthy essays by Clifford: "On the Aims and Instruments of Scientific Thought," "Right and Wrong," "The Ethics of Religion," and "The Influence upon Morality of a Decline in Religious Belief.

Language: English

Pages: 140

Format: Paperback

Publisher: Prometheus Books

Release: May 01, 1999

ISBN: 1573926914

ISBN 13: 9781573926911

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