Antarvidya || Debra Thana Sahid Kshudiram Smriti Mahavidyalaya

The Distinguishing Feature of Beliefs

Surajit Barua
Department of Philosophy, Seth Anandram Jaipuria College, Kolkata-700010.
surajitphilosophy@gmail.com

Submitted on: 14.11.2025
Accepted on: 28.06.2026

Abstract: This article explores the question: what individuates the propositional attitude of belief and distinguishes it from other truth-oriented propositional attitudes. It is argued here that a conviction in the proposition, beyond a certain threshold, with an intended global application, is all that individuates belief. To argue for this position, the relationship of belief with credence is explored. The distinction between belief and acceptance is also clarified. The clarification is put to use in explaining how can one have mutually conflicting beliefs at the same time.

References:

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Key Words: Belief, Acceptance, Credence, attitude, proposition

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How to Cite

APA 7th Edition

Barua, S. (2026). The Distinguishing Feature of Beliefs. Antarvidya, 2(1), 36–45. https://doi.org/10.66182/antarvidya.v2.i1.005.2026

MLA 9th Edition

Barua, Surajit. “The Distinguishing Feature of Beliefs.” Antarvidya, vol. 2, no. 1, June 2026, pp. 36–45. https://doi.org/10.66182/antarvidya.v2.i1.005.2026

The Distinguishing Feature of Beliefs

References:

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