Citation

Gendler TS. Mind Lang. 2008; 23(5): 552-585.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1468-0017.2008.00352.x

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

I introduce and argue for the importance of a cognitive state that I call alief. An alief is, to a reasonable approximation, an innate or habitual propensity to respond to an apparent stimulus in a particular way. Recognizing the role that alief plays in our cognitive repertoire provides a framework for understanding reactions that are governed by non-conscious or automatic mechanisms, which in turn brings into proper relief the role played by reactions that are subject to conscious regulation and deliberate control.