Tradition 101: Seminar 1, Footnote 1(e)

 '(A) fully traditional belief is one which is accepted without being assesed by any criterion other than its having been believed before. The unthinking or 'unconscious' acceptance of beliefs which in their substance are rationally and empirically demonstrable as true is a real possibility. Scientific and technological beliefs are often 'unthinkingly' accepted, i.e. they are accepted without analysis by the acceptor of the grounds on which they are could be demonstrated. Such beliefs are clearly traditional in their formal properties, even if they are not substantively traditional. Edward Shils, 1971, Tradition