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What evidence really means: How does it change our beliefs?
The concept of evidence has different definitions and roles in different fields. Generally speaking, evidence is the basis used to support a claim and is usually considered an indicator that the claim is true. In epistemology, evidence is the basis for rationalizing our beliefs; while in philosophy of science, evidence is seen as material that confirms or refutes scientific hypotheses. Such diversity raises a fundamental question: How exactly does evidence change our beliefs?
In philosophy, the concept of evidence is not only influenced by various disciplines, but also challenges our way of cognition.
Definition and Role of Evidence
In the theory of knowledge, evidence is understood as the basis for belief. For example, a person's observation of the existence of a tree becomes evidence for his belief that the tree actually exists. In law, evidence is information used to establish or refute claims in a case. Such different roles make the concept of evidence more vague, making it difficult for us to reach a unified understanding of evidence.
Characteristics of evidence
Evidence has many characteristics, some of the main ones include:
- Truth is often closely tied to evidence.
- The evidence is consistent with other acquired truths.
- Simple truths are more likely to be seen as obvious truths.
- Obvious truths require no further defence.
In fact, evidence is not only the basis for supporting theories, but also an important part of our understanding of the world.
Different views of the evidence
Many famous theorists have unique insights into evidence, including Russell, Quine, etc. They generally believe that evidence should be observable phenomena rather than personal mental states. This view is particularly important in scientific research because scientific evidence needs to be public and uncontroversial in order to be truly verified and accepted in the scientific community.
Evidence in Theory of Knowledge
In epistemology, the quality of evidence that is possessed by the believer justifies belief. In theory, not all mental states can constitute evidence; only those that are directly relevant can make belief valid. For example, when a person hears music and believes that the speakers are on, the experience becomes evidence of her belief.
There are countless subtle connections between the acquisition of evidence and the establishment of belief.
Evidence in Science
In scientific methodology, evidence exists as a key element to confirm or refute a hypothesis. When a set of observations supports a theory, those results become evidence for that theory. For example, observational data on Mercury's retrograde motion supports Einstein's theory of relativity, greatly increasing the credibility of this theory.
Evidence in Phenomenology
In phenomenology, evidence is more inclined towards intuitive knowledge. This knowledge is self-provided and is considered unquestionable. This is fundamentally different from the concept of evidence in other disciplines because it emphasizes the relationship between inner cognitive experience and intuitive knowledge.
ConclusionThe essence of evidence lies in how it shapes our understanding and beliefs about the world.
Evidence is not only a support for beliefs, but also an important medium for us to understand the world and form opinions. They impact a wide range of disciplines and challenge our traditional understandings. So, how should we rethink our beliefs and cognitions in the face of this evidence?
