Knowledge and testing
Belief
Credence
Extended note
Belief may be practically, personally, or socially important, but it must not be confused with knowledge. In Røyndalism, knowledge is tied to actuality, testing, and correction, while belief may be an attitude toward something not yet securely recognised.
Limitations
Not the same as
- knowledge
- correspondence
- evidence
- authority
Related terms
Methodological relevance
An audit must distinguish what the material shows, what an actor believes, and what may be formulated as a testable finding.
Sources and principal occurrence
Source note: The entry specifies the distinction among belief, knowledge, and authoritative assent in DET SOM ER and Corrigible Realism.
- DET SOM ERThe foundational work and primary source.
- Corrigible RealismThe academic and philosophical position.
Correct and incorrect use
Correct use
“The witness believes the meeting was on Monday, but the documents must be checked before that is relied on.”
Incorrect or over-strong use
“I believe it, therefore we know it.”
Suggested citation
Suggested citationVikesland, M. A. A. (2026). “Belief”. Røyndalism — Lexicon, content version 1.0.
APAVikesland, M. A. A. (2026). Belief (version 1.0). Røyndalism. https://royndalisme.no/en/lexicon/belief/
MLAVikesland, Martin A. A.. “Belief.” Røyndalism, version 1.0, Vikesland Press, 2026, https://royndalisme.no/en/lexicon/belief/.
ChicagoVikesland, Martin A. A.. “Belief.” Røyndalism. version 1.0. Vikesland Press, 2026. https://royndalisme.no/en/lexicon/belief/.
IEEEM. A. A. Vikesland, “Belief,” Røyndalism, version 1.0, Vikesland Press, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://royndalisme.no/en/lexicon/belief/
CSEVikesland MAA. 2026. Belief. version 1.0. Røyndalism. Vikesland Press. Available from: https://royndalisme.no/en/lexicon/belief/
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Revision note
- Document version
- 1.0
- First published
- 18 June 2026
First public edition.