Single Idea 4735

[catalogued under 2. Reason / E. Argument / 7. Thought Experiments]

Full Idea

A map that is identical in all respects with that which is mapped is just useless. So reductionism is not just a good thing - it is essential to thought.

Gist of Idea

Just as maps must simplify their subject matter, so thought has to be reductionist about reality

Source

Paul O'Grady (Relativism [2002], Ch.6)

Book Reference

O'Grady,Paul: 'Relativism' [Acumen 2002], p.175


A Reaction

A useful warning, when thinking about truth. It is folly to want your thoughts to exactly correspond to reality. I want to understand the world, but not if it requires being the world.