James argues that when we face a decision that is live, forced, and momentous in a situation in which we lack objective evidence, it is ok to decide what to believe on the basis of subjective factors, T/F?

Question

Physics

Kiley Chang

24 March, 08:55

James argues that when we face a decision that is live, forced, and momentous in a situation in which we lack objective evidence, it is ok to decide what to believe on the basis of subjective factors, T/F?

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Leslie Cowan · Answer 1

True

Explanation:

In "The Will to Believe", Williams James defended the thesis that when an option is genuine and evidence is insufficient to warrant a choice one way or the other, one has the epistemic right to choose as one likes, or in accordance with his "passional nature". On this basis, James argued that in the religious option, one has the right to believe as he likes if there is insufficient evidence either for or against religious hypothesis. This is because in his view, the religious option is a genuine option.