Difference between revisions of "Fallacies Of Philosophy"
From Critiques Of Libertarianism
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[[Category:Libertarian Philosophy]] | [[Category:Libertarian Philosophy]] | ||
{{DES | des = A great deal of philosophy is grossly misleading from the very start.}} | {{DES | des = A great deal of philosophy is grossly misleading from the very start.}} | ||
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| + | ; Assumptions that do not match reality. | ||
| + | : Philosophy that attempts to address reality needs realistic assumptions. But there is a trade-off: the more general an assumption (and thus useful for reasoning), the less it conforms to reality. For example, if I say the sky is blue, most people would agree. But is it blue at night? On a cloudy day? When it is filled with dust or smoke? In space? No. And these exceptions are important: maybe more important than the original assumption. | ||
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| + | ; Philosophers are very poor at second-best solutions. | ||
| + | : In economics, it is often recognized that best solutions to problems are impractical (such as placing everything into property-based markets.) So instead, there are second-best solutions which are practical but are also end-runs around the weaknesses of assumptions (such as social provision of defense, infrastructure and other public goods.) Too much philosophy attempts to cram all problems into the procrustean beds of best solutions. | ||
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| + | ; Philosophers generally don't measure: they are usually prescientific. | ||
| + | : "Does it contain any abstract reasoning concerning quantity or number? No. Does it contain any experimental reasoning concerning matter of fact and existence? No. Commit it then to the flames: for it can contain nothing but sophistry and illusion." | ||
| + | David Hume | ||
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| + | Economics has a branch called econometrics which is concerned with providing empirical content. Philosophy usually lacks such content, and is usually backed with gut feelings and blustering authority. Better alternatives would be roots in scientific aspects of psychology, anthropology, evolution, and other fields. | ||
; Using a discrete model where a continuous model is needed. | ; Using a discrete model where a continuous model is needed. | ||
