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What if you investigate why the fence is there and find nothing or a list of contradictory or nonsensical reasons? This is incredibly common in real life. If y

by api 3y ago

What if you investigate why the fence is there and find nothing or a list of contradictory or nonsensical reasons? This is incredibly common in real life. If you must understand something to remove it you do end up with a lot of things that can never be removed. It’s a big reason that laws and regulations build forever.

nerdponx 3y ago
At that point, you give up on the search for understanding and must evaluate the fence given the information that you do have and can make sense of. It's really not any different from any other decision making process. The principle exists to encourage critical thinking, not to obstruct progress.
- api 3y ago
  I actually like the principle as a tool for critical thinking, but like the precautionary principle which can also be a tool for critical thinking it has a tendency in practice to be converted into a thought-stopping and action-stopping cliche.
latency-guy2 3y ago
> What if you investigate why the fence is there and find nothing or a list of contradictory or nonsensical reasons? This is incredibly common in real life. Congratulations, you can now opt to remove the fence. This is also discussed in the article. Chesterton's fence is philosophical, and as always, there will be a value proposition to consider. E.g. building a new beltway that would connect two previously unconnected cities or developing trade routes completely overrides the value that a fence being used to keep wildlife away.
- eviks 3y ago
  Nonsense, the response you'll get is to spend more time investigating: "To which the more intelligent type of reformer will do well to answer: “If you don’t see the use of it, I certainly won’t let you clear it away. Go away and think HARDER and investigate better. ""
pixl97 3y ago
> find nothing or a list of contradictory or nonsensical reasons Then you look at implementing process changes in the company at a higher level, there is 100% something absolutely wrong, but it may not be a problem with a physical system, but a human interaction one.

by api 3y ago

nerdponx 3y ago

At that point, you give up on the search for understanding and must evaluate the fence given the information that you do have and can make sense of. It's really not any different from any other decision making process. The principle exists to encourage critical thinking, not to obstruct progress.

api 3y ago
I actually like the principle as a tool for critical thinking, but like the precautionary principle which can also be a tool for critical thinking it has a tendency in practice to be converted into a thought-stopping and action-stopping cliche.

latency-guy2 3y ago

> What if you investigate why the fence is there and find nothing or a list of contradictory or nonsensical reasons? This is incredibly common in real life. Congratulations, you can now opt to remove the fence. This is also discussed in the article. Chesterton's fence is philosophical, and as always, there will be a value proposition to consider. E.g. building a new beltway that would connect two previously unconnected cities or developing trade routes completely overrides the value that a fence being used to keep wildlife away.

eviks 3y ago
Nonsense, the response you'll get is to spend more time investigating: "To which the more intelligent type of reformer will do well to answer: “If you don’t see the use of it, I certainly won’t let you clear it away. Go away and think HARDER and investigate better. ""

pixl97 3y ago

> find nothing or a list of contradictory or nonsensical reasons Then you look at implementing process changes in the company at a higher level, there is 100% something absolutely wrong, but it may not be a problem with a physical system, but a human interaction one.