FIRST
You should not assume that anyone believes something merely because they want it to be true. People form beliefs based on evidence, reasoning, and experience, not solely on desire. Treating others as if their beliefs are sincere recognizes their effort to engage with truth, even if you disagree. Instead of dismissing their views, encourage them to reflect on why they hold their beliefs and to examine the evidence supporting them. By fostering thoughtful discussion and helping them justify their beliefs more rigorously, you promote intellectual honesty and mutual understanding without presuming lazy or foolish or selfish motives.
THE ARGUMENT
Richard Swinburne, Faith and Reason (p. 24) observes:
"In general, a person cannot choose what to believe there and then. Believing is something that happens to someone, not something that he does. I believe that today is Monday, that I am now in Oxford, that Aquinas died in AD 1274, etc. I cannot suddenly decide to believe that today is Tuesday, that I am now in Italy, or that Aquinas lived in the eighteenth century."
The Essentials
Belief is holding that something is probably true. When we believe something, we act and think as if it were a fact, even though we may not know it with certainty. Beliefs help us navigate uncertainty and manage fear. They can make us feel in control because beliefs function as a filter that shapes perception and judgment. For example, if someone believes that God treats them as special, they may interpret difficulties like illness in a way that reduces fear and stress.
Beliefs can also be emotionally motivating. People may cling to beliefs because they provide comfort or identity. This is not inherently wrong, but when emotional attachment to belief outweighs concern for truth, it can lead to error, bias, and even the exploitation of others.
It does not follow, however, that people only believe what they want to be true. People can seek truth, struggle to accept it, and subsequently experience emotional benefits.
Religion and Belief
Religions often teach that followers should examine evidence and reason about what to believe, rather than simply believing what feels comforting. While some may ignore this in practice, a system that encourages belief solely based on desire is unsustainable. Claims that people “must be allowed to believe what they want” may appear respectful but can misrepresent the nature of belief.
Belief is fundamentally about truth, not personal desire. Accusations that people believe only what they want usually reveal more about the accuser than the accused. Discussions about “wanting to believe” often arise in religious contexts, likely because religious beliefs involve significant personal and existential stakes.
Belief, Evidence, and Manipulation
If someone believes something only because they want it to be true, they are not fully engaging with evidence. Genuine belief involves judging something to be probably true, based on evidence or what is perceived as evidence. Selecting only evidence that supports a desired belief while ignoring contrary evidence is a form of bias, not belief.
We should guide people toward understanding what belief properly involves. Encouraging engagement with evidence promotes sincere belief and intellectual honesty.
Implications for Society
The idea that people only believe what they want has implications for social control. If beliefs were purely desire-driven, they could be manipulated by rewards or threats. In practice, leaving people free to think for themselves undermines attempts at coercion and totalitarian control.
People do not have a right to believe whatever they want; they have a right to believe what seems true to them. Belief and desire are distinct. Feeling that something is true is not the same as believing it. For example:
You cannot make yourself believe that cheese is bread, no matter the reward.
Some spouses may believe uncomfortable truths about their partners despite not wanting to.
One may feel omnipotent yet recognize that one is not. Desire alone does not produce belief.
Attempting to believe something purely because you want to undermines sincerity and truth-seeking. Genuine belief requires engaging with reasons and evidence, not merely with personal preferences.
Examples and Misconceptions
Leap of faith: Often cited as choosing to believe despite uncertainty. In practice, it is better described as a “leap of hope,” since one cannot be certain of the outcome.
Marriage and self-confidence: These are not examples of choosing belief. Choosing to trust someone or develop confidence involves judgment and evidence, not simply desire.
Smokers underestimating risks: If the underestimation is accidental, it is a cognitive error, not a willful choice of belief.
In religious contexts, belief in miracles or the supernatural can sometimes be influenced by desire. However, sincere religious advocacy is credible only when it engages with evidence and attempts to minimize the influence of personal desire. Fear or hope alone is not a basis for belief.
Meta-Reflection on Accusations
Suppose someone claims others only believe what they want because they want to. This claim itself cannot be justified unless one knows the internal reasoning of every other person — which is impossible. Often, the accuser may be projecting their own experience of desire-driven belief onto others.
Wanting to believe something does not negate that belief contains elements of truth. Desire may influence but does not entirely determine belief. To say otherwise risks mischaracterizing human cognition and accusing others unfairly of dishonesty.
Tolerance and Respect
A moderate version of the advice to “believe what you want” could be:
"Believe as you wish. But until you have sufficient evidence that your view is true and all other views are false, you should not act as if your view is unquestionably correct. Respect others’ religious and non-religious views."
Even advocates of tolerance acknowledge limits. Tolerance is not absolute; moral or legal boundaries exist. Respecting others does not require accepting that all beliefs are equally valid.
Conclusion
Belief is about truth, not desire. Feelings can influence belief, but they do not determine it. Some beliefs cannot be forced, no matter how much one wants them to be true. Sincere belief requires openness to evidence and careful evaluation.
When we understand how beliefs are formed, we can better help ourselves and others critically assess and, if necessary, revise them. Desire can influence belief, but it is not what belief is fundamentally about. Truth should guide belief, not personal preference.