C1 is a presumption, namely, a belief in the truth of T, which is apparently a theorem of P1, P2, and P3. As a belief, it's validity is not what is at issue here, because we are concerned with the truth of T.
F comes in, but is improperly treated as a premiss to conclude ~T, when it is equivalent to ~T. Again, we should not be concerned with belief, because we are dealing with statements that are either true or false. Either but not both (T or ~T) can be true (which is the definition of a logical tautology).
Hence C2 is another presumption with which we should not concern ourselves. Belief has no influence on the outcome of T or ~T.
For the first bullet: no, it is not possible, in any case, to conclude C2, for not to agree that one made a mistake (i.e., reasoned invalidly to T) is to deny the truth of ~T which was shown by Ms. Math to be true (a valid deduction).
Second bullet: in the case of a theorem, to show the falsity of a conclusion (of a theorem) is to show that it is invalid. To say there is a mistake is a straightforward corollary of the nature of deductive inference that an invalid motion was committed.
Third bullet: I assume that the problem is stated in general terms, for had Ms. Math shown that T is false in explicit terms (contained in F), then the proper form of ~T would be: F -> ~T. Note that it is wrong to frame it the following way: F, P1, P2, and P3 -> ~T. It is wrong because F states ~T. There is no "decision" to be made here! Bayesian reasoning in this instance (if not many others) is a misapplication and obfuscation of the original problem from a poor grasp of the nature of deduction.
(N.B.: However, if the nature of the problem were to consist in merely being told by some authority a contradiction to what one supposes to be true, then there is no logically necessity for us to suddenly switch camps and begin to believe in the contradiction over one's prior conviction. Appeal to Authority is a logical fallacy, and if one supposes Bayesian reasoning is a help there, then there is much for that person to learn of the nature of deduction proper.)
Let me give you an example of what I really mean:
Note statements P, Q, and Z:
(P) Something equals something and something else equals that same something such that both equal each other. (Q) This something equals that. This other something also equals that. (Z) The aforementioned somethings equal each other.
It is clear that Z follows from P and Q, no? In effect, you're forced to accept it, correct? Is there any "belief" involved in this setting? Decidedly not. However, let's suppose we meet up with someone who disagrees and states: "I accept the truths of P and Q but not Z."
Then we'll add the following to help this poor fellow:
(R) If P and Q are true, then Z must be true.
They may respond: "I accept P, Q, and R as true, but not Z."
And so on ad infinitum. What went wrong here? They failed to reason deductively. We might very well be in the same situation with T, where
(P and Q) are equivalent to (P1, P2, and P3) (namely, all of these premisses are true), such that whatever Z is, it must be equivalent to the theorem (which would in this case be ~T, if Ms. Math is doing her job and not merely deigning to inform the peons at the foot of her ivory tower).
P1, P2, and P3 are axiomatic statements. And their particular relationship indicates (the theorem) S, at least to the one who drew the conclusion. If a Ms. Math comes to show the invalidity of T (by F), such that ~T is valid (such that S = ~T), then that immediately shows that the claim of T (~S) was false. There is no need for belief here; ~T (or S) is true, and our fellow can continue in the vain belief that he wasn't defeated, but that would be absolutely illogical; therefore, our fellow must accept the truth of ~T and admit defeat, or else he'll have departed from the sphere of logic completely. Note that if Ms. Math merely says "T is false" (F) such that F is really ~T, then the form [F, P1, P2, and P3] implies ~T is really a circular argument, for the conclusion is already assumed within the premisses. But, as I said, I was being charitable with the puzzles and not assuming that that was being communicated.
I guess it wasn't clear, C1 and C2 reffered to the reasonings as well as the conclusions they reached. You say belief is of no importance here, but I don't see how you can talk about "defeat" if you're not talking about justified believing.
For the first bullet: no, it is not possible, in any case, to conclude C2, for not to agree that one made a mistake (i.e., reasoned invalidly to T) is to deny the truth of ~T which was shown by Ms. Math to be true (a valid deduction).
I'm not sure if I understood what you said here. You agree with what I sai...
I present here two puzzles of rationality you LessWrongers may think is worth to deal with. Maybe the first one looks more amenable to a simple solution, while the second one has called attention of a number of contemporary epistemologists (Cargile, Feldman, Harman), and does not look that simple when it comes to a solution. So, let's go to the puzzles!
Puzzle 1
At t1 I justifiably believe theorem T is true, on the basis of a complex argument I just validly reasoned from the also justified premises P1, P2 and P3.
So, in t1 I reason from premises:
(R1) P1, P2 ,P3
To the known conclusion:
(T) T is true
At t2, Ms. Math, a well known authority on the subject matter of which my reasoning and my theorem are just a part, tells me I’m wrong. She tells me the theorem is just false, and convince me of that on the basis of a valid reasoning with at least one false premise, the falsity of that premise being unknown to us.
So, in t2 I reason from premises (Reliable Math and Testimony of Math):
(RM) Ms. Math is a reliable mathematician, and an authority on the subject matter surrounding (T),
(TM) Ms. Math tells me T is false, and show to me how is that so, on the basis of a valid reasoning from F, P1, P2 and P3,
(R2) F, P1, P2 and P3
To the justified conclusion:
(~T) T is not true
It could be said by some epistemologists that (~T) defeat my previous belief (T). Is it rational for me to do this way? Am I taking the correct direction of defeat? Wouldn’t it also be rational if (~T) were defeated by (T)? Why ~(T) defeats (T), and not vice-versa? It is just because ~(T)’s justification obtained in a later time?
Puzzle 2
At t1 I know theorem T is true, on the basis of a complex argument I just validly reasoned, with known premises P1, P2 and P3. So, in t1 I reason from known premises:
(R1) P1, P2 ,P3
To the known conclusion:
(T) T is true
Besides, I also reason from known premises:
(ME) If there is any evidence against something that is true, then it is misleading evidence (evidence for something that is false)
(T) T is true
To the conclusion (anti-misleading evidence):
(AME) If there is any evidence against (T), then it is misleading evidence
At t2 the same Ms. Math tells me the same thing. So in t2 I reason from premises (Reliable Math and Testimony of Math):
(RM) Ms. Math is a reliable mathematician, and an authority on the subject matter surrounding (T),
(TM) Ms. Math tells me T is false, and show to me how is that so, on the basis of a valid reasoning from F, P1, P2 and P3,
But then I reason from::
(F*) F, RM and TM are evidence against (T), and
(AME) If there is any evidence against (T), then it is misleading evidence
To the conclusion:
(MF) F, RM and TM is misleading evidence
And then I continue to know T and I lose no knowledge, because I know/justifiably believe that the counter-evidence I just met is misleading. Is it rational for me to act this way?
I know (T) and I know (AME) in t1 on the basis of valid reasoning. Then, I am exposed to misleading evidences (Reliable Math), (Testimony of Math) and (F). The evidentialist scheme (and maybe still other schemes) support the thesis that (RM), (TM) and (F) DEFEATS my justification for (T) instead. So that whatever I inferred from (T) is no longer known. However, given my previous knowledge of (T) and (AME), I could know that (MF): F is misleading evidence. It can still be said that (RM), (TM) and (F) DEFEAT my justification for (T), given that (MF) DEFEAT my justification for (RM), (TM) and (F)?