Trauma and Belief
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Belief Formation in Trauma and the Limits of Knowledge: A Transdisciplinary Synthesis of Neuroscience, Epistemology, and Quantum Metaphors
Abstract
Belief formation is a neurobiological and psychological process shaped by empirical evidence, subjective meaning, and cultural context. This paper integrates trauma research (e.g., CPTSD/PTSD), Gödelian incompleteness, Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle, and Michael Guillen’s concept of a *translogical universe* to explore how beliefs are established, challenged, and sustained. We argue that trauma disrupts belief systems by entrenching survival-based narratives, which resist empirical revision due to cognitive biases, neurobiological constraints, and the inherent limits of formal systems. The paper concludes that recovery and scientific inquiry alike require balancing empirical rigor with acceptance of unresolvable uncertainty.
Introduction
Beliefs are the scaffolding of human experience, yet their formation—particularly in the context of trauma—defies reduction to purely empirical or logical frameworks. Trauma survivors often oscillate between contradictory beliefs (e.g., "I am safe now" vs. "The world is dangerous"), reflecting a tension between evidence and existential meaning. This paper examines how neurobiology, psychology, and philosophy intersect to shape belief systems, emphasising the epistemological humility required to navigate their limits.