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1.1.7 Reasoning Techniques
Version 1.3 March 2013Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â (Previous Version)
In this section we look at a number of techniques that we
use for seeking the truth.
We can be both impressed with the power of these
techniques, and humbled by their fragility.Â
We look at the following different techniques:
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1. A Priori
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Is anything useful self-evidently
true, or is everything uncertain?
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2. Induction:
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Can we make useful
generalisations?
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Is it
reasonable to break down the techniques we use to work out the truth into these
seven methods?
Click on
feedback, or add a comment below, to tell us if you agree or disagree, or
suggest improvements.
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3. Deduction:
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Is logic infallible?
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4. Falsifiability:
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How do we know something is
wrong?
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5. Occam’s Razor:
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What basis is there to prefer
one explanation over another?
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6. Coherence:
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How can we know an explanation
is OK?
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7. Common Sense:
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When all else fails, is it at
least consistent with common sense?
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This section is not intended to be a complete introduction to reasoning
and logic, but to show that:
● A small number of
powerful techniques are very useful for determining the truth;
● It is essential that
we not be illogical, otherwise we are more likely to be in error;
● Whether any reasoning
technique applies to a real situation, and how it applies, has to be considered
on a case by case basis – there is no logic that tells us which logic to apply,
or when it applies.
After we have considered these subject areas we come to the following
conclusion.
1.1.7Â Â Â There are useful guidelines we use to work out what to believe
– using reason based on the available evidence. If we don't follow these
guidelines we will have beliefs which are unreasonable, or not based on
reality, so they are more likely to be wrong. At the lowest level we use
induction, deduction, and falsifiability. At a higher level we use Occam’s
razor, coherence and common sense. How we use these techniques in any real
world situation must be considered on a case by case basis.  more (later)
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Or any of the other pages?
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YOU DO, CLICK FEEDBACK.
It could be in any language, or have no words, or just be
instrumental. From pop, to classical, a cappella to orchestral!
Examples of the
music we seek:
● On
the Tenets page, accessed from the main menu, our current choice is a Song
Without Words from Mendelssohn (who died in 1847), Opus 14 Nbr 4, called Contentment. Check it out: the Tenets
conclude most
times, I have a measure of content.
● Chapter 2.3 covers the solar system
and Earth’s development. In there somewhere, surely we should be
hearing Gustav
Holst's The Planets, which premiered 100 years ago. There is a movement for
each of the planets.
Please tell as
much identifying information as you can: a link, and/or the name of the piece
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