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Single Idea 6557
[filed under theme 2. Reason / A. Nature of Reason / 9. Limits of Reason
]
Full Idea
It might be wholly unreasonable to suppose that human beings will ever be able to attain a view of the world that is both suitably rich and completely consistent.
Gist of Idea
Humans may never be able to attain a world view which is both rich and consistent
Source
Robert Fogelin (Walking the Tightrope of Reason [2003], Intro)
Book Ref
Fogelin,Robert: 'Walking the Tightrope of Reason' [OUP 2004], p.9
A Reaction
Fogelin's lectures develop this view very persuasively. I think all philosophers must believe that the gods could attain a 'rich and consistent' view. Our problem is that we are a badly organised team, whose members keep dying.
The
22 ideas
from 'Walking the Tightrope of Reason'
6557
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Humans may never be able to attain a world view which is both rich and consistent
[Fogelin]
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6555
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We are also irrational, with a unique ability to believe in bizarre self-created fictions
[Fogelin]
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6560
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The law of noncontradiction is traditionally the most basic principle of rationality
[Fogelin]
|
6565
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The law of noncontradiction makes the distinction between asserting something and denying it
[Fogelin]
|
6574
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Legal reasoning is analogical, not deductive
[Fogelin]
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6575
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Philosophy may never find foundations, and may undermine our lives in the process
[Fogelin]
|
6568
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A game can be played, despite having inconsistent rules
[Fogelin]
|
6572
|
Deterrence, prevention, rehabilitation and retribution can come into conflict in punishments
[Fogelin]
|
6573
|
Retributivists say a crime can be 'paid for'; deterrentists still worry about potential victims
[Fogelin]
|
6586
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Cynics are committed to morality, but disappointed or disgusted by human failings
[Fogelin]
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6583
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Radical perspectivism replaces Kant's necessary scheme with many different schemes
[Fogelin]
|
6582
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Conventions can only work if they are based on something non-conventional
[Fogelin]
|
6576
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My view is 'circumspect rationalism' - that only our intellect can comprehend the world
[Fogelin]
|
6589
|
Knowledge is legitimate only if all relevant defeaters have been eliminated
[Fogelin]
|
6596
|
For coherentists, circularity is acceptable if the circle is large, rich and coherent
[Fogelin]
|
6597
|
A rule of justification might be: don't raise the level of scrutiny without a good reason
[Fogelin]
|
6588
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Scepticism is cartesian (sceptical scenarios), or Humean (future), or Pyrrhonian (suspend belief)
[Fogelin]
|
6590
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Scepticism deals in remote possibilities that are ineliminable and set the standard very high
[Fogelin]
|
6585
|
Rationality is threatened by fear of inconsistency, illusions of absolutes or relativism, and doubt
[Fogelin]
|
6604
|
Saying 'It's all a matter to taste' ignores the properties of the object discussed
[Fogelin]
|
6605
|
Critics must be causally entangled with their subject matter
[Fogelin]
|
6607
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The word 'beautiful', when deprived of context, is nearly contentless
[Fogelin]
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