5 May 1812

Credulity

Ch.1.

1

The Unreasonableness of Credulity

Chapter 1.

By credulity is commonly understood, the disposition to believe improbable things.

To say of a man that he believes a thing which to himself appears improbable, [is] in one sense and that the most obvious, a contradiction in terms.

But in saying of a man that he believes a thing which to other persons in general or to persons of repute for extent of knowledge appears or is or may be justly expected to appear improbable, there is no contradiction in terms.

In a certain sense let it [...?] [...?] and without any contradiction in terms be said of a man that he believes things which even to himself, and at the very time of his believing them, appear improbable. To his own judgement, abstraction made of the judgment of other persons, the things appears improbable: but understanding that in the judgment of this or that other person of these or those other persons whose judgment either in relation to matters in general, or in respect of the particular matter in question, he regards as more trustworthy than his own, the thing is regarded not only as possible but as certain, as certainly true, thus it is that he believes to be true that which even to himself and at the very time, appears improbable.

This is belief upon authority, or upon trust [...?] case is the sort of belief bestowed upon [...?] and miracles.