This book investigates the central question of whether belief is purely a cognitive state or if it is fundamentally intertwined with emotional and affective processes. Miriam Schleifer McCormick, a professor of philosophy, challenges the traditional view that belief is a cold, rational assessment of evidence. She argues that our beliefs are shaped by our emotional responses, desires, and the practical context in which we operate, proposing a model where belief is an active, engaged state rather than a passive registration of facts.

Philosophers and scholars in the field of epistemology frequently cite this work for its nuanced challenge to standard rationalist accounts of belief. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which is intended for an audience familiar with contemporary analytic philosophy.