Matt_Simpson comments on Conversation Halters - Less Wrong

38 Post author: Eliezer_Yudkowsky 20 February 2010 03:00PM

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Comment author: byrnema 20 February 2010 04:40:46PM *  0 points [-]

I disagree with, Appeal to inescapable assumptions. My specific reason is that I think it would insulate physical materialism from the main type of argument you can make against it. I see empiricism as a huge, impenetrable fortress built on assumptions that are reasonable but not necessary. Interestingly, while appealing to the possession of different assumptions, I probably would appeal to humility, personal choice, etc.

so some "assumptions" are right and others wrong.

An assumption is still an assumption. Some assumptions are more natural than others in the context of a scientific worldview, however, we haven't established that the scientific worldview is applicable always and everywhere. If anything changes -- for example, if reality is far more strange than we anticipate -- then as a culture and a society we need the flexibility to reconsider assumptions.

Also, did you mean, 'appeal to escapable assumptions'?

Comment author: Matt_Simpson 20 February 2010 07:54:45PM *  0 points [-]

I disagree with, Appeal to inescapable assumptions. My specific reason is that I think it would insulate physical materialism from the main type of argument you can make against it. I see empiricism as a huge, impenetrable fortress built on assumptions that are reasonable but not necessary.

.

Appeal to inescapable assumptions - ...the idea that you need some assumptions and therefore everyone is free to choose whatever assumptions they want.

Where does that preclude criticizing assumptions? (I presume this is your quarrel) In fact, the next line endorses the criticism of assumptions:

In the realm of physical reality, reality is one way or another and you don't get to make it that way by choosing an opinion, and so some "assumptions" are right and others wrong.