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Steps for Better Reason
A first step in rule- and pattern-based reason is to see and understand the difference between one-way and two-way implication rules. People too often think a one-way implication rule is a two-way implication rule. That can be confusing and misleading. It leads to false expectations and arguments. The ability to read and understand one- and two-way implication rules precisely further helps in following instructions and recipes and also in deciding which rules to apply. A second step is to be aware of and cautious about suggestive and misleading questions. When asked a question, we politely try to answer without challenging the suggestions or assumptions made in it. Some questions take advantage of our politeness. Pause when encountering such questions. Don't always answer immediately. Rather, think if the question asked assumes too much or makes assumptions with which you are ill at ease. Those that do should be avoided or challenged. The chapter Deception, Suggestive or Misleading Questions speaks further about this issue and this second step. A third step is to chain, link or connect implication rules together to create more implication rules for getting conclusions. (The verbs to link, to chain and to connect all have the same or similar meaning here. They are used interchangeably. Each can be used instead of any other for the sake of variety.) The chapters Chains of Reason and Longer Chains of Reason show how implication rules can be used one at a time and one after another. The remaining chapters on reason in this book describe how patterns and implication are written and found, and how their reliability can be judged. A fourth step in logic or reason is to talk about how patterns and implication rules are found, invented and employed in daily life, technology, science and mathematics. The world is full of patterns, implications and suggestions. Some are more certain, more reliable and more correct than others, while others are completely false. We must try to identify which are which. Uncertainty is not welcome, yet not knowing what is unsure is worse. Locating weak spots in reasoning permits a search for replacements. Chapter Subsections: Next: Chapter 5: Deception, Suggestive or Misleading Questions |
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Road
Safety Message Do not walk on a road with your back to the
traffic - rule of thumb
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