I have answered that question to my own satisfaction, although probably not yours. There is no reason for existence. There is never an answer to the question "Why?" Only "How?" — T Clark
In this case, the idea of “reason” I had in mind were things like modus ponens, avoiding what are defined as local fallacies, drawing conclusions from new or existing information, etc. But it is a sort of fuzzy concept IMO.What do you consider reason? Its a broad word that is often interpreted differently by different people
This is where it seems like we have to make a circular argument. We say reason is the process of finding truth, because we believe that we can arrive at truth using reason. Now, perhaps reason was developed because it described our conception of reality. However, to claim that we have arrived at truth because we used reason is a metaphysical claim about the world saying that truth follows due to our use of reason (probably pretty justified, it seems to do better than other methods, etc).Reason, as it is discussed in the opening post, is a process for finding the truth
Reason is a tricky subject-people hundreds of years ago thought the sun revolved around the earth ( — Paulm12
In the light of gods, reason can be given. Science merely describes creation while informing us about eternal heaven and the eternal life in it. — Hillary
This is where it seems like we have to make a circular argument. We say reason is the process of finding truth, because we believe that we can arrive at truth using reason. Now, perhaps reason was developed because it described our conception of reality. However, to claim that we have arrived at truth because we used reason is a metaphysical claim about the world saying that truth follows due to our use of reason (probably pretty justified, it seems to do better than other methods, etc). — Paulm12
I'm not a follower of any religion. I don't see things the way you do. For me, the reason for existence is a human question that only has human answers. — T Clark
In the light of gods, reason can be given. — Hillary
Reason is a tricky subject-people hundreds of years ago thought the sun revolved around the earth (makes sense-we seem to be stationary but the sun seems to move). This conclusion would be an application of reason from the premises. But now, we know this is not the case. — Paulm12
In fact, I think there is precious little than can be so demonstrated, and even that is always dependent on context and auxilliary hypotheses or assumptions, which are themselves not demonstrable — Janus
Some do. Others, like me, question the very idea that the idea of anything being objectively true in any absolute (context free) sense is even coherent. — Janus
Many problems arise by claiming that your objective reality should be the same for everyone. — Hillary
The idea of many absolute realities contradicting one another makes no sense. — Janus
In the sense I mean it, no one can have any absolute (context free) objective reality so the problem doesn't arise. — Janus
It's a paradoxical idea. I had a long discussion about this on another philosophy forum. The idea of a unique absolute reality originates in the Greek philosophers. — Hillary
Maybe they can't but they want to have their worldview absolute existence. The particle physicist wants his preons to be true, the theist his gods, the astrologist his system of prediction, or the Aboriginal his dreamtime. — Hillary
But they can't all be — Janus
I don't think so. The definitions of reason in the google dictionary areReason is a process for finding the truth. That's a definition. That's what reason is intended for.
Note that this has nothing to do with truth necessarily. For instance, mathematics is often described as an application of pure reason. But unless you're a mathematical platonist, mathematical truths aren't tied to some ultimate reality.1) a cause, explanation, or justification for an action or event.
2) the power of the mind to think, understand, and form judgments by a process of logic.
I don't think so. The definitions of reason in the google dictionary are
1) a cause, explanation, or justification for an action or event.
2) the power of the mind to think, understand, and form judgments by a process of logic.
Note that this has nothing to do with truth necessarily. — Paulm12
Obviously if we are doing philosophy, we try to use reason/rationality to make an argument and avoid contradictions. — Paulm12
If we take "reality" as "the world or the state of things as they actually exist, as opposed to an idealistic or notional idea of them," then science, reason, and mathematics actually don't tell us much about reality at all. They do tell us idealistic, notational ideas of reality, which are incredibly useful and perhaps "good enough" in most cases. — Paulm12
I'm not a follower of any religion. I don't see things the way you do. For me, the reason for existence is a human question that only has human answers. — T Clark
agree. Nothing in my reference to reason alludes to (narrow) 'logico-mathematical rationality'; my conception is close to the (broad) "sense-making" of e.g. Peirce-Dewey pragmatism. — 180 Proof
Get involved in philosophical discussions about knowledge, truth, language, consciousness, science, politics, religion, logic and mathematics, art, history, and lots more. No ads, no clutter, and very little agreement — just fascinating conversations.