Open AccessBelieve It or Not: On Multiplying Classes of Belief-like States
Author(s) -
James R. Thompson
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
studia philosophica estonica/studia philosophica estonica.
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2228-110X
pISSN - 1736-5899
DOI - 10.12697/spe.2016.9.1.04
Subject(s) - taxon , extant taxon , status quo , taxonomy (biology) , psychology , epistemology , cognitive psychology , social psychology , evolutionary biology , biology , ecology , political science , philosophy , law
This paper explores whether it is justified to add any new taxa concerning informational states to our psychological taxonomy. Such exploration will not lead to a straightforward decision between remaining steadfast with the taxonomic status quo and adding only one new taxon. A careful analysis of when one would be warranted in positing a new taxon for informational states will reveal similarly compelling reasons to posit all sorts of additional taxa. As an antidote to such proliferation, I suggest a reinforcement of traditional taxonomies of the mental by allowing belief and a range of extant taxa to play their requisite explanatory roles, thereby obviating the need for the postulation of any novel taxa.