On Mon, 25 Apr 2011 16:46:39 -0700, Darren New wrote:

> On 4/25/2011 16:31, Jim Henderson wrote:
>> But if I pull the curtains back and see that, yes, the sun is up, then
>> I no longer need to believe it because I can observe that it is up.
> 
> I understand what you're saying. I just don't think that's how normal
> people use that word outside of religious arguments.

I believe it is. ;)

> Would you say I'm wrong to state "I believe Elvis is dead"?

I don't have enough data to say whether it would be right or wrong for 
you to make that statement.

If I assume that you weren't there when he died and that you weren't 
present at the funeral, then I would say that you're probably right to 
state that because you've read reports of his death and they seem to 
point you in that direction (as they do me).

Philosophically, though, I don't have any direct experience with the fact 
that he's dead - I have to rely on others' accounts of the event, and I 
choose to trust them and believe that they are accurate and correct.

Jim

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