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Single Idea 4731
[filed under theme 2. Reason / A. Nature of Reason / 4. Aims of Reason
]
Full Idea
The four basic principles of rationality are 1) avoid contradiction, 2) enhance coherence, 3) avoid ignoring evidence, and 4) maximise evidence.
Gist of Idea
Good reasoning will avoid contradiction, enhance coherence, not ignore evidence, and maximise evidence
Source
Paul O'Grady (Relativism [2002], Ch.5)
Book Ref
O'Grady,Paul: 'Relativism' [Acumen 2002], p.141
A Reaction
I like this, and can't think of any additions. 'Coherence' is the vaguest of the conditions. Maximising evidence is still the driving force of science, even if it does sound quaintly positivist.
The
27 ideas
with the same theme
[what good reasoning aims to achieve]:
241
|
We ought to follow where the argument leads us
[Plato]
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5082
|
Reason grasps generalities, while the senses grasp particulars
[Aristotle]
|
1574
|
Reasoning distinguishes what is beneficial, and hence what is right
[Aristotle]
|
2675
|
Reasoning is a way of making statements which makes them lead on to other statements
[Aristotle]
|
1589
|
Aristotle is the supreme optimist about the ability of logos to explain nature
[Roochnik on Aristotle]
|
1858
|
The mind is compelled by necessary truths, but not by contingent truths
[Aquinas]
|
24024
|
The secret of the method is to recognise which thing in a series is the simplest
[Descartes]
|
3603
|
Methodical thinking is cautious, analytical, systematic, and panoramic
[Descartes, by PG]
|
2248
|
Reason says don't assent to uncertain principles, just as much as totally false ones
[Descartes]
|
17213
|
In so far as men live according to reason, they will agree with one another
[Spinoza]
|
19917
|
Without reason and human help, human life is misery
[Spinoza]
|
5035
|
The two basics of reasoning are contradiction and sufficient reason
[Leibniz]
|
3346
|
For Leibniz rationality is based on non-contradiction and the principle of sufficient reason
[Leibniz, by Benardete,JA]
|
18236
|
Reason keeps asking why until explanation is complete
[Kant, by Korsgaard]
|
21439
|
Religion and legislation can only be respected if they accept free and public examination
[Kant]
|
5584
|
All objections are dogmatic (against propositions), or critical (against proofs), or sceptical
[Kant]
|
3738
|
The hallmark of rationality is setting itself an end
[Kant]
|
6937
|
Reason aims to discover the unknown by thinking about the known
[Peirce]
|
14779
|
I reason in order to avoid disappointment and surprise
[Peirce]
|
20573
|
Rather than instrumental reason, Habermas emphasises its communicative role
[Habermas, by Oksala]
|
19303
|
Implication just accumulates conclusions, but inference may also revise our views
[Harman]
|
3077
|
Reasoning might be defined in terms of its functional role, which is to produce knowledge
[Harman]
|
12324
|
Consensus is the enemy of thought
[Badiou]
|
1598
|
We prefer reason or poetry according to whether basics are intelligible or not
[Roochnik]
|
16841
|
Good inference has mechanism, precision, scope, simplicity, fertility and background fit
[Lipton]
|
4731
|
Good reasoning will avoid contradiction, enhance coherence, not ignore evidence, and maximise evidence
[O'Grady]
|
20981
|
What justifies reliance on reason? Is it just a tool? Why is it better than blind belief?
[Sen]
|