Faith and steadfastness in the face of counter-evidence

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37 Scopus citations

Abstract

It is sometimes said that faith is recalcitrant in the face of new evidence, but it is puzzling how such recalcitrance could be rational or laudable. I explain this aspect of faith and why faith is not only rational, but in addition serves an important purpose in human life. Because faith requires maintaining a commitment to act on the claim one has faith in, even in the face of counter-evidence, faith allows us to carry out long-term, risky projects that we might otherwise abandon. Thus, faith allows us to maintain integrity over time.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)113-133
Number of pages21
JournalInternational Journal for Philosophy of Religion
Volume81
Issue number1-2
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 1 2017
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Philosophy

Keywords

  • Belief
  • Counter-evidence
  • Evidence
  • Faith
  • Practical rationality

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