The Philosophical Debate Thread

[Thom Yorke]

I was surprised to see that there was no thread for this in the philosophy section. Anything philosophy can go here.

[Thom Yorke]

"Hume's argument is that we cannot rationally justify the claim that nature will continue to be uniform, as justification comes in only two varieties, and both of these are inadequate. The two sorts are demonstrative reasoning, and probable reasoning. With regards to demonstrative reasoning, Hume argues that the uniformity principle cannot be demonstrated, as it is "consistent and conceivable" that nature might stop being regular. Turning to probable reasoning, Hume argues that we cannot hold that nature will continue to be uniform because it has been in the past, as this is using the very sort of reasoning (induction) that is under question: it would be circular reasoning. Thus no form of justification will rationally warrant our inductive inferences."

I love this. Probably my favourite philosophical theory. It is illogical to assume that history will repeat itself based on history repeating itself before. If I say that the earth will suddenly fall out of orbit tomorrow, is it any less logical than saying it will stay in orbit?

[RVCA]

Categorical Imperative all up in this biznatch

[Howard the Duck]

Originally Posted by Thom Yorke

"Hume's argument is that we cannot rationally justify the claim that nature will continue to be uniform, as justification comes in only two varieties, and both of these are inadequate. The two sorts are demonstrative reasoning, and probable reasoning. With regards to demonstrative reasoning, Hume argues that the uniformity principle cannot be demonstrated, as it is "consistent and conceivable" that nature might stop being regular. Turning to probable reasoning, Hume argues that we cannot hold that nature will continue to be uniform because it has been in the past, as this is using the very sort of reasoning (induction) that is under question: it would be circular reasoning. Thus no form of justification will rationally warrant our inductive inferences."

I love this. Probably my favourite philosophical theory. It is illogical to assume that history will repeat itself based on history repeating itself before. If I say that the earth will suddenly fall out of orbit tomorrow, is it any less logical than saying it will stay in orbit?

i think Chaos Theory has more or less proved that point

[ThePhanastasio]

Chaos Theory has proved?

Kind of an oxymoron, dontcha think?

[Howard the Duck]

ah i dunno

i suck at this

[ThePhanastasio]

I'm just messing with ya, mang. Chaos theory actually does make a lot more sense than a lot of theories people have slung about frequently.

[Mykonos]

I'm a very philosophically confused person, and I doubt that will change any time soon, so I won't have much to say here. That said, I tend to mix a very literal worldview (dialectics being my main thing) with a spiritual side (I am in possession of a soul despite not being in the current employ of the armed services etc.).

[Howard the Duck]

my philosophical state of mind is that I'm always questioning reality

[Scarlett O'Hara]

To be or not to be? That is the question.