Preface

Have you noticed that sensible people sometimes hold a belief that is contrary to evidence you would expect them to know and accept? Sometimes it is about something important. Beliefs are made from many things, a fact that has intrigued me for years and has led me to this exploration of the nature of belief. It is offered for anyone who is interested in belief, hoping they will find it helpful, as I have. It is about how people do believe, not about how they ought to believe. For readers new to the brain sciences there is a short appendix on the brain’s anatomy and physiology, and for those more deeply involved in the topic there is a section of brief notes, often indicating a point of contention, or a guide to references. The book is intended to be serious but accessible.

I am especially grateful to Pierre Beumont, late professor of psychiatry at the University of Sydney, for help and encouragement through the early stages of this project before his illness in 2003. I thank all the other people who have helped me with comments and suggestions on early drafts. The cover photograph of the battleground, First Bull Run, American Civil War, is by Robert Wines. Jon Gittoes made the drawing at the end of Chapter 13.