belief

belief in philosophy, commitment to something, involving intellectual assent. Philosophers have disagreed as to whether belief is active or passive; René Descartes held that it is a matter of will, while David Hume thought that it was an emotional commitment, and C. S. Peirce considered it a habit of action. Compared to faith and probability, the concept of belief has received little attention from philosophers.

be·lief / biˈlēf/ • n. 1. an acceptance that a statement is true or that something exists: his belief in God a belief that solitude nourishes creativity. ∎  something one accepts as true or real; a firmly held opinion or conviction: we're prepared to fight for our beliefs. ∎  a religious conviction: Christian beliefs. 2. (belief in) trust, faith, or confidence in someone or something: a belief in democratic politics. PHRASES: be of the belief that hold the opinion that; think: I am firmly of the belief that we need to improve our product. beyond belief astonishingly good or bad; incredible: riches beyond belief. in the belief that thinking or believing that: he took the property in the belief that he had consent. to the best of my belief in my genuine opinion; as far as I know: to the best of my belief, Francis never made a will.