[pianotech] Humbly questioning choice of words, was Re: Totally glueless

[Ron Nossaman]

On 2/1/2013 1:03 PM, Mike Spalding wrote:

> Perhaps there is a better word than "belief" for a conviction based on
> examination of evidence - what term do you prefer?
>
> thanks
>
> Mike

Hi Mike, Here's what I've got:

be·lief (b¹-l¶f“) n. 1. The mental act, condition, or habit of placing 
trust or confidence in another. 2. Mental acceptance of and conviction 
in the truth, actuality, or validity of something. 3. Something believed 
or accepted as true, especially a particular tenet or a body of tenets 
accepted by a group of persons.


This definition is pretty much what I see in action, with no examination 
of evidence indicated. I prefer "think", which is what I use and try to 
do. I'd rather be a thinker than a believer, whatever the dictionary 
definition. I've been asked why I won't just "accept" a concept and 
believe. That's faith based usage. I don't think this is gracefully 
resolvable because everyone plays by different rules and each believes 
themselves to be right, or thinks their point is reasonable when they 
indicate the reasoning behind it. These are vastly different attitudes. 
The best and clearest differentiation I've come up with is the use of 
think rather than believe, but the only way to avoid misunderstanding is 
to cease trying to communicate altogether.

Ron N