A Belief System's Organization Based on a Computational Model of the Dynamic Context: First Approximation

Abstract

In this paper we present a model of organization of a belief system based on a set of binary recursive functions that characterize the dynamic context that modifies the beliefs. The initial beliefs are modeled by a set of two bit words that grow, update and generate other beliefs as the different experiences of the dynamic context appear. Reason is presented as an emergent effect of the experience on the beliefs. The system presents a layered structure that allows a functional organization of the belief system. Our approach seems suitable to model different ways of thinking and to apply to different realistic scenarios such as ideologies.Key-words. Recursive functions, behavioral patterns, belief system, ideology 1-IntroductionIt is understood that our behavior is the result of both our beliefs and our capability to implement them by means of actions on the world around us. Belief systems are sets of norms that provide a coherent interpretation of the world and allow a viable interaction between humans and society [1,2]. Everybody may have a belief system which is shared totally, partially or not shared with others [3, 4] but belief systems don't deal only with individuals, they also develop social structured organizations that promote attitudes and values in order to provide stability and transmission [5]. The interaction between individuals and organizations and the changes in the world may trigger belief revision [6][7][8][9]. Ideology is our most closely held belief system, made of values, feelings and opinions which act as the filter through which we see everything and everybody. Ideologies have played a key role in history by shaping governments and political movements. Political philosophers expound on a variety of political ideologies, or ways of government in order to improve the organization of the societies [10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. The study of ideologies is also of great interest for sociologists [17][18][19][20][21], psychologists [22][23][24], biologists [25,26] and even computer scientists [27][28][29][30]. A definition of belief system is provided by [31]. The authors claim a belief system is a set of related ideas, learned and shared which has some permanence in time and space. They also affirm any belief system is formed by two essential levels denoted the abstract level and the material level, and operates as a cybernetic feedback process. The abstract level is formed by a set of substantive beliefs that are the axioms of the system and by a set of derived beliefs that constitute their theorems. Our proposed belief system considers that experience coming from the dynamic context applies to a few initial embryonic beliefs (substantive beliefs) that grow and increase in number (derived beliefs). The experience modifies the beliefs and next, the emergence of reason completes the updating. We claim reason needs previous beliefs and incoming experience to arise, but in our model, the relationship between cognition and experience

Developing conspiracy theories: Conspiracy beliefs are correlated with perceived childhood adversity.

“…Belief systems are shaped by various determinants, such as social interactions, cultural norms, individual's experiences, and external factors (Park, 2010). A belief system is a set of beliefs, values, rules, or expectations that people embrace as true, and that intensify their understanding and interactions with the world (Pont et al, 2015). These interactions and behaviors are usually related to fulfilling the basic tasks of life: survival and reproduction, two ultimate evolutionary functions that are generally treated as larger problems with multiple subproblems (Buss, 2012).…”