The characteristics of live, forced, and momentous; it is explained to be a option of choice. In William James writing he explains for a option to be live or dead. For a option to be live you must want to do that option with no forced intention. The dead option is you have no reason to do the option for any reason. The forced option is to choose between two options. Willam James also explores the non-forced option, where you are given two options, then choose not to answer at all or choose to give a different option instead of the two original answers. The momentous option is only in use when it is a once in a life time opportunity.
Examples of Live, Forced, Momentous:
Be in a society who believes in God or in free will.
Stay home or leave.
I have to jump this cliff to or get eaten by lions.
The belief that fits all three is explained in the writing as a “genuine” choice. This happens when it meets the three options live, forced, and momentous.
In William james writing he agrees with William Clifford’s standards of beliefs. In his writing he states “So Clifford’s exhortation has throughly a fantastic sound”. They are both arguing about the difference of belief.
I agree with both James and Clifford because in ways James makes a statement of having your own free will to believe in something. Clifford believes not having enough evidence makes it hard to believe in anything at all. In reality both arguments are true and makes sense in most situations of life. Having evidence makes it easier to make decisions, on the other hand you have the choice to make those decisions. In the religious situation many people are forced into that life and without evidence or choice there would be no society to live by and it causes chaos.
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Walking and talking 