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Single Idea 6585
[filed under theme 2. Reason / A. Nature of Reason / 1. On Reason
]
Full Idea
The three main threats to our rational lives are fear of inconsistency, illusions (of absolutism and relativism) and doubt.
Gist of Idea
Rationality is threatened by fear of inconsistency, illusions of absolutes or relativism, and doubt
Source
Robert Fogelin (Walking the Tightrope of Reason [2003], Ch.4)
Book Ref
Fogelin,Robert: 'Walking the Tightrope of Reason' [OUP 2004], p.96
A Reaction
This is a very nice analysis of the forces that can destroy the philosopher's aspiration to the rational life. Personally I still suffer from a few illusions about the possibility of absolutes, but I may grow out of it. The other three don't bother me.
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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6565
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The law of noncontradiction makes the distinction between asserting something and denying it
[Fogelin]
|
6560
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The law of noncontradiction is traditionally the most basic principle of rationality
[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]
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6572
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Deterrence, prevention, rehabilitation and retribution can come into conflict in punishments
[Fogelin]
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6573
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Retributivists say a crime can be 'paid for'; deterrentists still worry about potential victims
[Fogelin]
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6583
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Radical perspectivism replaces Kant's necessary scheme with many different schemes
[Fogelin]
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6586
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Cynics are committed to morality, but disappointed or disgusted by human failings
[Fogelin]
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6582
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Conventions can only work if they are based on something non-conventional
[Fogelin]
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6576
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My view is 'circumspect rationalism' - that only our intellect can comprehend the world
[Fogelin]
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6589
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Knowledge is legitimate only if all relevant defeaters have been eliminated
[Fogelin]
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6596
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For coherentists, circularity is acceptable if the circle is large, rich and coherent
[Fogelin]
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6597
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A rule of justification might be: don't raise the level of scrutiny without a good reason
[Fogelin]
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6588
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Scepticism is cartesian (sceptical scenarios), or Humean (future), or Pyrrhonian (suspend belief)
[Fogelin]
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6590
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Scepticism deals in remote possibilities that are ineliminable and set the standard very high
[Fogelin]
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6585
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Rationality is threatened by fear of inconsistency, illusions of absolutes or relativism, and doubt
[Fogelin]
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6607
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The word 'beautiful', when deprived of context, is nearly contentless
[Fogelin]
|
6605
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Critics must be causally entangled with their subject matter
[Fogelin]
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6604
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Saying 'It's all a matter to taste' ignores the properties of the object discussed
[Fogelin]
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