Friday, November 15, 2013
"Most of our so-called reasoning consists in
finding arguments for going on believing as we already do".
-James Harvey Robinson
What does Mr Robinson mean and do you think this is a problem?
Reasoning is "the ability that sets humans apart from animals", as it gives humans the capacity to evaluate their actions before making decisions. Logic is the structure of this reasoning, what "holds" the arguments together. Of course, there is the distinction about the soundness and validity of the logic behind the reasoning, but that is a different, complex and somewhat other story.
It is true that most people try to find arguments to support their own beliefs, their personal reasoning. Isn't that the whole point, the essence, the driving force, for arguments? Arguments ensue when people disagree over the matter in question. The reason that they hold and continue the argument is to convince the opponent of the point that is trying to get across. I would not try to voice arguments that would go against me in the course of an argument, even though I might consider them in order to form couterexamples that might be put against me. A reasoning is the way that each individual interprets the information that is presented to them. The arguments that we seek are usually based on the beliefs that we have, as we try to find more certainty about the reasoning that we have. We are forever seeking for knowledge, for our reasoning. This knowledge consists of what we think, and therefore is biased and inclined to be with what I want to believe, what I believe at the present moment.
I don't think there is necessarily a problem behind this, at least for the individual in question. This is when logic comes into play. If the individual keeps accumulating claims that support his reasoning, that will bring him to a closer degree of certainty on the truth behind his reasoning. However, even though it may be a valid and logical reasoning to him, it could seem the most absurd and illogical reasoning for others. I guess that what I am trying to say, and by employing ToK terms, it is a positive aspect that we constantly strive for arguments supporting our reasoning in the realm of personal knowledge. However, the strength and our conviction about this reasoning can become a little more difficult and/or more dangerous to maintain when we try to spread it as a part of the shared knowledge.
It is true that most people try to find arguments to support their own beliefs, their personal reasoning. Isn't that the whole point, the essence, the driving force, for arguments? Arguments ensue when people disagree over the matter in question. The reason that they hold and continue the argument is to convince the opponent of the point that is trying to get across. I would not try to voice arguments that would go against me in the course of an argument, even though I might consider them in order to form couterexamples that might be put against me. A reasoning is the way that each individual interprets the information that is presented to them. The arguments that we seek are usually based on the beliefs that we have, as we try to find more certainty about the reasoning that we have. We are forever seeking for knowledge, for our reasoning. This knowledge consists of what we think, and therefore is biased and inclined to be with what I want to believe, what I believe at the present moment.
I don't think there is necessarily a problem behind this, at least for the individual in question. This is when logic comes into play. If the individual keeps accumulating claims that support his reasoning, that will bring him to a closer degree of certainty on the truth behind his reasoning. However, even though it may be a valid and logical reasoning to him, it could seem the most absurd and illogical reasoning for others. I guess that what I am trying to say, and by employing ToK terms, it is a positive aspect that we constantly strive for arguments supporting our reasoning in the realm of personal knowledge. However, the strength and our conviction about this reasoning can become a little more difficult and/or more dangerous to maintain when we try to spread it as a part of the shared knowledge.
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