Defined as propositional attitudes and convictions of a truth of some idea or potential future state (Zalta, 2010), beliefs are a core aspect of any human being, not only because they can eventually lead to behaviors, choices, motivational states, but mainly because they define who we are, stemming from their etymology: to be¼being a living creature. Beliefs are an important part of our uniqueness, personality, identity, and even make life worth living, contributing to our wellbeing and happiness (Singh, 2023), or instead to ill-being, distress, self-judgment, depressive or anxious thoughts and threats (Garrett et al., 2018). Thus, it is hugely important to understand what links them to behavior (and in which direction), and what instead lets them as simply beliefs, contributing to our mood but not reflecting in action (or in personal awareness). Below I would provide a few insights (and open questions) by considering what beliefs are or can be, and mostly from where they come from, suggesting that behavior also shapes beliefs and that a circular or spiral model could better explain the complexity of the interplay between beliefs-intentionsbehavior.
Beliefs to Behavior or Behavior to Beliefs? On What Makes Intentions Reality
Moe A.
2025
Abstract
Defined as propositional attitudes and convictions of a truth of some idea or potential future state (Zalta, 2010), beliefs are a core aspect of any human being, not only because they can eventually lead to behaviors, choices, motivational states, but mainly because they define who we are, stemming from their etymology: to be¼being a living creature. Beliefs are an important part of our uniqueness, personality, identity, and even make life worth living, contributing to our wellbeing and happiness (Singh, 2023), or instead to ill-being, distress, self-judgment, depressive or anxious thoughts and threats (Garrett et al., 2018). Thus, it is hugely important to understand what links them to behavior (and in which direction), and what instead lets them as simply beliefs, contributing to our mood but not reflecting in action (or in personal awareness). Below I would provide a few insights (and open questions) by considering what beliefs are or can be, and mostly from where they come from, suggesting that behavior also shapes beliefs and that a circular or spiral model could better explain the complexity of the interplay between beliefs-intentionsbehavior.
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