ABSTRACT
THERE are various familiar expressions which suggest that believing has some characteristics in common with action. This has led certain philosophers to maintain that belief is something voluntary, and they have spoken of 'the will to believe'. Indeed, we all agree with these philosophers up to a point. We all agree that there is such a thing as 'wishful thinking'; and the sort of thinking here referred to is believing, or at any rate half-believing. Again, when we are confronted by some doubtful and complex question, one person may sum up his conclusion about it by saying 'I believe that p' and another may say 'I prefer to believe that q'. In such a case we should all admit that a man can properly be said to choose which of several alternative answers he will believe.
