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>the unmeasurable complexity of the world defies complete exposition by rigorous analytical methods. Do you mean that it would be impossible to explain the wor

>the unmeasurable complexity of the world defies complete exposition by rigorous analytical methods. Do you mean that it would be impossible to explain the world in such a way even if we had an unlimited amount of time and ability, or just that we would never have access to what would even be theoretically necessary to rigorously explain the world? The latter seems undeniable, the former I don't think we can claim to know for sure but I want to say the opposite is true. >Crucially however, one need not give up on truth, for there is a world out there and things are really happening, and it is possible to describe the action you observe, in spite of it not being reducible to neat and tidy chains of reason. It seems like you're saying that we have mathematical truths, and "tricky truths" that can't be derived but should still be sought out. This totally makes sense to me. However, it seems like you're trying to imply a kind of equivalence between these kinds of truths and de-emphasizing the importance of mathematical reasoning when it seems like instead there should be a preference for mathematical truths that don't as easily lead to the kinds of conflict or disagreements that you're describing. I.e. it seems like beliefs about these "tricky truths" should be held less strongly than beliefs about mathematical truths, should be grounded in something like Bayesian reasoning that we can derive mathematical truths about, and we should be constantly searching for ways to tie our beliefs about these "tricky truths" together in ways that follow something like rigorous analytical methods.

sameoldtune 2y ago
I think you’re exactly right. In philosophy this Bayesian thinking is called “verisimilitude”, or to quote Stephen Colbert, “truthiness”. Hume and Wittgenstein did a good job in their own ways of elucidating why judgements cannot stem only from facts. The “is ought problem” and “picture theory of language” are approachable places to google on the matter. But we make judgements all day and it does seem like there are better judgements than others. We don’t have easy answers for what is right, wrong, beautiful, ugly, redeemable, or important. But these unscientific concerns are the most important aspects of anyone’s life, and philosophers can provide a lot of insight.

sameoldtune 2y ago

I think you’re exactly right. In philosophy this Bayesian thinking is called “verisimilitude”, or to quote Stephen Colbert, “truthiness”. Hume and Wittgenstein did a good job in their own ways of elucidating why judgements cannot stem only from facts. The “is ought problem” and “picture theory of language” are approachable places to google on the matter. But we make judgements all day and it does seem like there are better judgements than others. We don’t have easy answers for what is right, wrong, beautiful, ugly, redeemable, or important. But these unscientific concerns are the most important aspects of anyone’s life, and philosophers can provide a lot of insight.