silver 2039
Deity
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2003
- Messages
- 16,208
Well? If one cannot rationally defend something using logic should they renounce it as false?
Should that which cannot be rationally defended be renounced?
- Thread starter silver 2039
- Start date
I lean that way when the people defending the idea insist upon using any outrageous logical fallacy they can latch onto.
Bozo Erectus
Master Baker
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2003
- Messages
- 22,389
It would depend on the quality of the logic being used.
Humans are not inherently rational creatures, so I would think not. Besides, may things which are true cannot be easily defended using rational means just because either we lack sufficient information or the defender lacks the ability to argue well.
Generally, yes. Not always, but generally.
Perfection
The Great Head.
It wouldn't be a fetish if you could rationally defend it! 
What do you mean by "cannot be rationally defended"? Does that mean it's been proven false? Or just that it can't be proven true? If it's been proven false, then of course you should find a better theory or belief. But I don't think you should totally abandon an idea just because it can't be proven true. A lot of things our society is based on, from religious questions to scientific theories aren't proven, or even can't be ultimately proven. So? Human beings can't expect to know the answers to every question they can ask.
Erik Mesoy
Core Tester / Intern
Can you rationally defend that? 
(It had to come sooner or later.)
(It had to come sooner or later.)
Xanikk999
History junkie
Most things can be rationally defended.
Even religion to a degree. You cant prove religion is right, but you can argue its benifits to society.
It's not at all practical. The average person is not very good at rationally defending things; and more to the point, just about any of us could be argued into a smoking hole on any point by a good lawyer or accomplished sophist. And, of course, somebody has to judge who wins the debate-- a phronimos-- and at that point, you're better simply to model your person after a phronimos than to formally refer every question to one.
punkbass2000
Des An artiste
Depends if it's a logical deduction being made. I don't need logic to know that the sky is blue. If you logically prove to me that the sky is, in fact, not blue, I'll stubbornly believe it is until it turns yellow with brown polka dots.
Veritass
Emperor
The following things cannot be defended with logic, and should be renounced at once:
- Love
- Beauty
- Inner Peace
- Music
- Poetry
- God
Mise
isle of lucy
Depends how many real people's lives are at stake.
All of those can be "defended" with logic except god.
Fugitive Sisyphus
Escape Artist
Attempt to do so then. I for one will renounce poetry.
punkbass2000
Des An artiste
I renounce well-done steaks, which cannot be rationally defended.
Mise
isle of lucy
I find this opinion quite rare. At the end of the day, the blood is on your hands.
nivi
Call me Ishmael
Humans are emotional, not rational, I can't rationaly defend circumsision, I'm still glad I had it done to me.
aneeshm
Deity
@ Silver
Please try to prove that you are conscious.
If you cannot, please "renounce" your consciousness, and proceed to die.
Please try to prove that you are conscious.
If you cannot, please "renounce" your consciousness, and proceed to die.
Fugitive Sisyphus
Escape Artist
Ooh I can do this.
You state that without consciousness, you are dead. I am not dead therefore I am conscious.
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