Why do intelligent people still believe things they cannot prove?

 Because intelligent people understand that human knowledge is provisional and belief is rational when it’s justified.

Because the future is unknown in detail, belief is essential for activity. Without it, we’d be stuck in endless hesitation, unable to commit to even the simplest act. We act as if tomorrow will resemble today, even though we can’t prove it. That belief in stability allows planning.

If we demanded proof before acting, paralysis would be inevitable. We can’t prove the sun will rise tomorrow and for many days after that, but that doesn’t mean we can’t make plans believing that it will. Nor can we prove we will be alive tomorrow.

Anyone who says they don’t believe things they cannot prove has already contradicted himself. Before he says anything he has to believe that someone will hear or read it, understand the language and comprehend what he is saying. None of those can be proved with absolute certainty in advance. Only if they believe it will be understood can they say it.

The world is overflowing with believers. The only genuine ‘non-believers’ would a miniscule percentage most likely kept in an institution incapable of functioning and needing constant supervision.

Belief is a fundamental necessity of human cognition and action.

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