WILL-TO-BELIEVE 223 



one that is made without hesitation by pragmatist writers. And 

 yet we question whether any particular instance can be cited, 

 in which this supposition can with any assurance be said to be 

 realized. Fanaticism has, indeed, a very considerable degree of 

 strength; but so has a cool, self-restrained balance of judgment. 

 It is well enough to say in general terms that confidence in success 

 may be the one thing necessary to assure success; but it would 

 require the prescience of a writer of fiction to determine such a 

 case. For the truth, after all, is notorious, that though con 

 fidence is a good thing, it is likewise an exceedingly dangerous 

 thing. 



In any case, however, it is worth while remarking that this 

 peculiar validation of belief takes place only when evidence to 

 the contrary does not exist. It is only where a free field is 

 open to it that it can accomplish anything; but then its efficacy 

 is extraordinary. Without exaggeration we may say that in its 

 relation to actual evidence it constitutes a dualism of orders of 

 truth Accordingly, the scientific procedure which it suggests 

 consists of two distinct steps. In the first place, one must find 

 whether a free scope for the will-to-believe exists, that is to say, 

 whether there is a practically entire absence (or balance) of 

 evidence on the subject; and, in the second place, if one feels 

 so inclined, one takes the voluntary step of putting faith in the 

 alternative preferred. 



A familiar example may serve to make this point clearer. Let 

 us suppose that it is the doctrine of human immortality which 

 the pragmatist proposes to establish. The general conformity 

 of the doctrine to the conditions above laid down is as close as 

 one could expect. The belief is capable of producing in many 

 minds (possibly, therefore, in the mind of the reasoner) a great 

 and lasting satisfaction which is sufficient to outweigh many of 

 the evils of life ; and if it prove in the event to have been illusory, 

 any possible ill effects are cut short at the same time. The 

 fearful misery which a belief in immortality may bring upon 

 society in this world, in consequence of a possible distortion of 



