Abstract

This paper aims to redefine belief and its role in the perception of reality, arguing that the role of emotion and sensation in belief is vital and deserves more attention. Emotion and sensation create beliefs as felt connections with reality; the organization of collected beliefs define how we understand reality and how we act within it. The first section of this paper uses the work of William James to explain a framework for understanding belief and reality and brings forth the importance of emotion and sensation as creative and reorienting powers. The second section uses the work of Bernadette Banner to show an example of sensation- and emotion-lead reorganization and re-creation of beliefs in action, then discusses Ralph Waldo Emerson’s figure of the poet as another example of enacted beliefs. The final section examines how different bases and vehicles of the sharing of collections of beliefs changes how new beliefs are created, accepted, and organized, thus providing a constructive basis for hope—a way to change the future.

Advisor

Graham, Mark

Department

Religious Studies

Disciplines

Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion

Keywords

belief, William James

Publication Date

2026

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

Download

Share

COinS
 

© Copyright 2026 Anna Schultz