Logic uses past data and supports past findings. Who will search for new data?
"It seems to me what is called for is an exquisite balance between two conflicting needs: the most skeptical scrutiny of all hypotheses that are served up to us and at the same time a great openness to new ideas … If you are only skeptical, then no new ideas make it through to you … On the other hand, if you are open to the point of gullibility and have not an ounce of skeptical sense in you, then you cannot distinguish the useful ideas from the worthless ones."
Where does observation of data fit into this scheme?
In stead of guessing whether to believe or disbelieve ideas, can we go in search of new experiences to clarify the nature of Reality?
Go in search of new experiences by all means but if you wish to clarify the nature of Reality you will need Reason. Experience without understanding is meaningless.
"Science is facts; just as houses are made of stones, so is science made of facts; but a pile of stones is not a house and a collection of facts is not necessarily science."
Post by Ethan Allen on Jan 9, 2014 8:19:47 GMT 9.5
“Those who invalidate reason ought seriously to consider whether they argue against reason with or without reason; if with reason, then they establish the principle that they are laboring to dethrone: but if they argue without reason (which, in order to be consistent with themselves they must do), they are out of reach of rational conviction, nor do they deserve a rational argument.”
The original rationale must have seemed rational when it was made. What is the trigger that allows you to detect that that rationale is incorrect and then replace it with another rationale?
The original rationale must have seemed rational when it was made. What is the trigger that allows you to detect that that rationale is incorrect and then replace it with another rationale?
Both orthodox and unorthodox opinions ought to be questioned.
“Most institutions demand unqualified faith; but the institution of science makes skepticism a virtue.”
It is quite hard to find original texts. Most have long been lost and all we have is alleged copies.
The best chances for early if not original texts seem to be stone carvings, although they are very hard to date, and recent excavations such as the Dead Sea Scrolls, where the recovered texts have been kept in private for 50 years (why so shy?) but we do have some images that may be unphotoshopped images of at least some of those scrolls
Is it permissible to be skeptical of orthodox histories?