That's Logic in the mathematical - philosophical sense, obviously. It's not a science in itself, but it's pretty scientific; it's part of math, in any case.
Philosophically, there are so many fallacies one can fall into. Certain professions, such as advertising or law (where lawyers are involved), actually use the human mind's succeptibility to them to their advantage. And that's because the succeptibility is there, and it's strong.
Most people, whatever their level of education (although having none whatsoever really helps), often fall into such traps in one way or another. They only take the time to examine how logically sound the arguments they make or accept are when they really care about the actual truth - if then.
I implore my co-debaters (and myself) to examine their every argument or set of arguments based on how they occur logically from actual given (and certainly true) facts, or at least compare the probability of what they claim actually being true to the "strength" or "certainty" of their conclusions. I am almost unable to discuss any subject with anyone that doesn't at least try to do so - or anyone who doesn't realise that they aren't.
And that's precisely the reason why I almost went mad when I tried to discuss important subjects with a professional lawyer, a couple of months ago. Yes, really, I almost went mad. The "it does not compute" error message was flashing before my eyes every few seconds. And that's also something I should get over: people don't think, and don't always want to think, like computers. Things don't have to make logical sense to them if they prefer them not to, and the human mind's ability to convince itself of things that are not backed by the "proof" offered by our senses is what makes us dreamers, storytellers, imagineers. And it's a kind of magic, whether you choose to believe in it or not.
Philosophically, there are so many fallacies one can fall into. Certain professions, such as advertising or law (where lawyers are involved), actually use the human mind's succeptibility to them to their advantage. And that's because the succeptibility is there, and it's strong.
Most people, whatever their level of education (although having none whatsoever really helps), often fall into such traps in one way or another. They only take the time to examine how logically sound the arguments they make or accept are when they really care about the actual truth - if then.
I implore my co-debaters (and myself) to examine their every argument or set of arguments based on how they occur logically from actual given (and certainly true) facts, or at least compare the probability of what they claim actually being true to the "strength" or "certainty" of their conclusions. I am almost unable to discuss any subject with anyone that doesn't at least try to do so - or anyone who doesn't realise that they aren't.
And that's precisely the reason why I almost went mad when I tried to discuss important subjects with a professional lawyer, a couple of months ago. Yes, really, I almost went mad. The "it does not compute" error message was flashing before my eyes every few seconds. And that's also something I should get over: people don't think, and don't always want to think, like computers. Things don't have to make logical sense to them if they prefer them not to, and the human mind's ability to convince itself of things that are not backed by the "proof" offered by our senses is what makes us dreamers, storytellers, imagineers. And it's a kind of magic, whether you choose to believe in it or not.
2 comments:
It smells like a lawyer we both know...
:P
By the way I think that wild imagination and clean and clear thinking can co-exist just fine. The rest are just excuses, and it's all right, in order for someone to be mentally healthy some excuses are always needed. Imagine a person that lacks the capacity, or the desire to dedicate himself to it drowning in a pool of self-pity, low confidence and eventually depression...
I agree, let them live the lives they choose - only if they don't get on your nerves in every occasion, that is. :P
It *is* a lawyer we both know... Regrettably :P
Yep, I agree about a wild imagination and clean and clear thinking can co-exist just fine. It's just a matter of separating the two.
And yep, let them live the lives they choose, but naturally one person's liberty ends where another person's liberty begins.
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