Thus, values and beliefs are the internal forces that guide us, while norms, both formal and informal, are the external forces that guide us. In turn, knowledge of our surroundings directly influence our beliefs and values.

In the Logic, Kant distinguishes "opinion", "belief" and "knowledge," which are the three "modes of holding-to-be-true". He viewed belief as a form of judging something to be true, intermediate between mere opinion and knowledge. Kant writes: "Opinion is problematic, believing assertoric, and knowing apodeictic judging."