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OBJECTIVE TRUTHOBJECTIVE TRUTH

Objective truthObjective truth Subjective truth?Subjective truth? Objective opinion?Objective opinion? Subjective opinion?Subjective opinion? Objective reality?Objective reality? Subjective reality?Subjective reality?

Objective:Objective:mind independentmind independent

Subjective:Subjective:mind dependentmind dependent

Objective vs. SubjectiveObjective vs. Subjective

what ?what ?

Truth ?Truth ? Reality ? Reality ?

Facts ? Facts ? Knowledge ?Knowledge ?

Information ?Information ? Statements ?Statements ?

Terms ? Terms ?

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

??

??? ???? ?

? ? ? ?? ? ? ?

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

? ? ? ?? ? ? ?

starting point

OperatingSystem

Starting point possibilitiesStarting point possibilities

ExistenceExistence of selfof self of the universeof the universe of Godof God

AssumptionAssumption

UndeniabilityUndeniability

Pragmatic necessityPragmatic necessity

I knowI know

I knowI know

nothing.nothing.

RATIONAL COPOUTSRATIONAL COPOUTS

1.1. pretending to know what you don’t knowpretending to know what you don’t know

2.2. pretending not to know what you knowpretending not to know what you know

3.3. deliberately misjudging probabilitydeliberately misjudging probability

4.4. holding inconsistent premisesholding inconsistent premises

EMOTIONEMOTION

Emotion isEmotion is

1. the reason for reason1. the reason for reason

2. the biggest opponent of reason2. the biggest opponent of reason

EMOTIONEMOTION

Get now !Get now !

Liberate !Liberate !

stupidstupid

childchild

REASONREASON

Watch budget .Watch budget .

Restrict .Restrict .

smartsmart

guardianguardian

Best possibleBest possibleoperating systemoperating system

Subjective ?Subjective ?

Truth SeekerTruth SeekerOperating SystemOperating System

fewest rational copouts fewest rational copouts

allows knowledge of the knowable allows knowledge of the knowable

disallows false knowledgedisallows false knowledge

Comfort SeekerComfort SeekerOperating SystemOperating System

gratifies emotiongratifies emotion

includes faith to coverincludes faith to cover

post-mortem possibilitiespost-mortem possibilities

Comfort vs. Truth SeekersComfort vs. Truth Seekers

Best possibleBest possibleoperating systemoperating system

Subjective ?Subjective ?

Best possibleBest possibleoperating systemoperating system

that which gives thethat which gives the

greatest ratio of happinessgreatest ratio of happiness

over unhappiness forover unhappiness for

duration of existence duration of existence

Now I’m selling it.Now I’m selling it.

TRUTH SEEKER

OPERATING SYSTEM

OPINION !OPINION !

Truth seeking isTruth seeking is

the most sensible thingthe most sensible thing

a sentient being can do.a sentient being can do.

Truth seeker assumptionsTruth seeker assumptions

Operationally necessaryOperationally necessary

I know.I know.

I think.I think.

I perceive.I perceive.

I emote (have emotions).I emote (have emotions).

Logic is reliable.Logic is reliable.

Operationally necessary Operationally necessary assumptionsassumptions

Hard wiredHard wired

I know.I know.

I think.I think.

I perceive.I perceive.

I emote.I emote.

ProgrammedProgrammed

Logic is reliable.Logic is reliable.

Logic serves premises.Logic serves premises.

PrimaryPrimarysources of premisessources of premises

EmotionEmotion ObservationObservation

Sources of premisesSources of premises

EmotionEmotion ObservationObservation ReasonReason AuthorityAuthority

Authority has 2 prongs.Authority has 2 prongs.

CoerciveCoercive InformativeInformative

ObservationObservation

vs.vs.

AuthorityAuthority

Operationally necessary Operationally necessary assumption assumption

without sufficient datawithout sufficient data

Bet.Bet.

OperationallyOperationallyununnecessary necessary assumptionassumption

Maybe later.Maybe later.

EpistemologyEpistemology:: the study of the study of

knowledge, and how things are knownknowledge, and how things are known objectiveobjective: rules governing how things are known : rules governing how things are known

subjectivesubjective: a person's chosen rules: a person's chosen rules

OntologyOntology:: the study of being, the study of being,

and what things are and what things are

ObservationObservation

vs.vs.

AuthorityAuthorityagainagain

Observation Observation horizonhorizon

Don’t mess with Don’t mess with infinity,infinity,untiluntilyouyouhavehaveto.to.

1.1. observationobservation

2.2. authorityauthority

3.3. emotionemotion

ReasonReason

ReasonReason LogicLogic Probability judgmentProbability judgment

LogicLogic

Everything that is universally true ofEverything that is universally true of

the relationships of variables.the relationships of variables.

Exists epistemologically in laws.Exists epistemologically in laws.

Exists ontologically in extension.Exists ontologically in extension.

Laws of thoughtLaws of thought

1.1. Law of identity Law of identity

2.2. Law of non-contradiction Law of non-contradiction

3.3. Law of excluded middle Law of excluded middle

3 terms used in logic3 terms used in logicmajor, middle, minormajor, middle, minor

Major premise:Major premise:

Minor premise:Minor premise:

Conclusion:Conclusion:

majormajortermterm

minorminortermterm

middlemiddletermterm

majormajortermterm

minorminortermterm

middlemiddletermterm==

==

==

ProbabilityProbability

Probability Probability (arithmetical)(arithmetical)

Probability judgmentProbability judgment (arithmetical or not)(arithmetical or not)

My car will probably start.My car will probably start.

age of batteryage of battery amount of driving time on batteryamount of driving time on battery number of previous start upsnumber of previous start ups how long since last chargehow long since last charge amount of last chargeamount of last charge maintenance of batterymaintenance of battery age of starterage of starter etc. etc.etc. etc.

There are no rules There are no rules governing governing non-mathematical non-mathematical

probability judgment.probability judgment.

Probability Probability judgmentjudgment

More choice = less accurate.More choice = less accurate. influenced by emotioninfluenced by emotion

Less choice = more accurate.Less choice = more accurate. influenced by observation influenced by observation

& reason& reason

logic probability judgmentlogic probability judgment

pattern recognitionpattern recognition

Truth seeker operating systemTruth seeker operating system

1.1. Determine operationally necessary Determine operationally necessary assumptions.assumptions.

2.2. Choose premises unemotionally.Choose premises unemotionally.

3.3. Accumulate observed data.Accumulate observed data.

4.4. Learn logic.Learn logic.

5.5. Learn critical thinking.Learn critical thinking.

Critical thinkingCritical thinking

1.1. DisambiguationDisambiguation TermsTerms

StatementsStatements

Ambiguous termsAmbiguous terms

The prices are on the books.The prices are on the books.

The books are on the table.The books are on the table.

The prices are on the table.The prices are on the table.

A = B.A = B.

All A = B. Kings are men.All A = B. Kings are men.

Some A = B. Greeks are men.Some A = B. Greeks are men.

This A = B. Socrates is a man.This A = B. Socrates is a man.

All A generally = B. Kings are pragmatic.All A generally = B. Kings are pragmatic.

Some A generally = B. Greeks are democratic.Some A generally = B. Greeks are democratic.

This A generally = B.This A generally = B. Socrates is rational.Socrates is rational.

Nothing is ambiguous.Nothing is ambiguous.

Does A = B ?Does A = B ?

Define A.Define A. Define B.Define B.

Question answered.Question answered.

Does A = B ?Does A = B ?

Joe: "A equals B."Joe: "A equals B."

Fred: "What do you mean by A?"Fred: "What do you mean by A?"

Joe: "By A, I mean yada yada."Joe: "By A, I mean yada yada."

Fred: "That's not what A means."Fred: "That's not what A means."

Triangles have 3 sides.Triangles have 3 sides.

What kind and size of triangles?What kind and size of triangles?

Irrelevant.Irrelevant.

An unambiguous term An unambiguous term stands for one concept.stands for one concept.

A concept is a thoughtA concept is a thoughtthat correspondsthat corresponds

to a thing.to a thing.

Levels of realityLevels of reality

1. the thing itself1. the thing itself

2. a concept of that thing2. a concept of that thing

2a. categories of such things2a. categories of such things

3. a term labeling the concept 3. a term labeling the concept or categoryor category

ConceptsConcepts

Legitimate or illegitimateLegitimate or illegitimate

LegitimateLegitimate realreal imaginaryimaginary

Define terms. Clarify concepts.Define terms. Clarify concepts.

Concept clarificationConcept clarification Identify it.Identify it. Categorize it.Categorize it.

Concept identificationConcept identification Is it A or B ?Is it A or B ?

Vague conceptsVague concepts

graygray

Vague conceptsVague concepts

not gray gray not graynot gray gray not gray

Vague concepts Vague concepts defineddefined

broadly narrowlybroadly narrowly

OxymoronsOxymorons

1.1. concepts made of opposite conceptsconcepts made of opposite concepts

2.2. terms made of mutually exclusive terms made of mutually exclusive conceptsconcepts

3.3. terms made of mutually exclusive wordsterms made of mutually exclusive words

Then mutually exclusivityThen mutually exclusivity

becomes sloppified.becomes sloppified.

DistinctionsDistinctions relevantrelevant irrelevantirrelevant

concept distinctionsconcept distinctions distinct or vaguedistinct or vague real or imaginaryreal or imaginary real or apparentreal or apparent absolute or relativeabsolute or relative non-contingent or contingentnon-contingent or contingent objective or subjectiveobjective or subjective abstract or concreteabstract or concrete ontological or epistemologicalontological or epistemological etc.etc.

1 relevant distinction1 relevant distinction

Human actionsHuman actions voluntaryvoluntary involuntaryinvoluntary

Involuntary vs. voluntaryInvoluntary vs. voluntaryactionsactions

A category is A category is a container a container

for concepts.for concepts.

Categorical relationshipsCategorical relationships

1.1. separateseparate AA B B

2.2. intersectingintersecting AA B B

3.3. hierarchicalhierarchical AA BB

Identical categoriesIdentical categories

definitionally identicaldefinitionally identical always 1 categoryalways 1 category

coincidentally identicalcoincidentally identical sometimes 1 categorysometimes 1 category

3 categorical laws3 categorical laws

1.1. No set is a member of itself.No set is a member of itself.

2.2. No set is a member of one of its No set is a member of one of its subsetssubsets

3.3. No concept is both inside and No concept is both inside and outside of any set.outside of any set.

Laws of math & logicLaws of math & logic Formulated.Formulated.

Laws of disambiguation, Laws of disambiguation, concept clarification, concept clarification, & categorization& categorization Ignored !!!Ignored !!!

Vaguely definedVaguely definedcategoriescategories

Sufficiently defineSufficiently definea category.a category.

Hierarchical relationshipsHierarchical relationships

““subsets”subsets”subsets, parts, subordinatessubsets, parts, subordinates

Types of conceptsTypes of concepts

More types of More types of conceptsconcepts

Objective / subjective, Distinct / vague, etc.

Don’t try this at home.Don’t try this at home.

““Category” is a concept.Category” is a concept.Concepts exist in categories.Concepts exist in categories.

ParadoxesParadoxes

KnowledgeKnowledge

Hard wiredHard wired

I know.I know.

I think.I think.

I perceive.I perceive.

I emote.I emote.

ProgrammedProgrammed

Logic is reliable.Logic is reliable.

KnowledgeKnowledge

impossibility of the contraryimpossibility of the contrary

Hard wired knowledgeHard wired knowledge

Programmed knowledge ? Programmed knowledge ?

KnowledgeKnowledge

1. impossibility of the contrary1. impossibility of the contrary

a. hard wired knowledgea. hard wired knowledge

2. inconceivability2. inconceivability of the contrary of the contrary

a. reliability of logic a. reliability of logic

LevelsLevels Most importantMost important

Less importantLess important Less importantLess important

Less importantLess important Less foundationalLess foundational

Less foundationalLess foundational

Less foundationalLess foundational

Most foundationalMost foundational

KnowledgeKnowledge

1. impossibility of the contrary1. impossibility of the contrarya. hard wired knowledgea. hard wired knowledge

2. 2. inconceivability of the contraryinconceivability of the contrarya. reliability of logica. reliability of logic

3. 3. irrelevanceirrelevance of the contrary of the contrarya. existence of external worlda. existence of external world

KnowledgeKnowledge

1. impossibility of the contrary1. impossibility of the contrary

2. 2. inconceivability of the contraryinconceivability of the contrary

3. irrelevance of the contrary3. irrelevance of the contrary

4. 4. imperceivabilityimperceivability of the contrary of the contrary

Knowledge defined for Knowledge defined for building an operating systembuilding an operating system

1. impossibility of the contrary1. impossibility of the contrary

2. 2. inconceivability of the contraryinconceivability of the contrary

3. irrelevance of the contrary3. irrelevance of the contrary

improbabilityimprobability of the contrary of the contrary

Any rational declarative statement Any rational declarative statement is either true or false. is either true or false.

A statement known to be true A statement known to be true is called certain. is called certain.

A statement known to be false A statement known to be false is called impossible. is called impossible.

Probability error #1Probability error #1

certaintycertainty

probabilityprobability

impossibilityimpossibility

Probability error #2Probability error #2

5 levels of 5 levels of probabilityprobability

1.1. 100%: 100%: certaincertain

2.2. less than 100% & more than 50%: less than 100% & more than 50%: probableprobable

3.3. 50%: 50%: equal chanceequal chance

4.4. less than 50% & more than 0%: less than 50% & more than 0%: improbableimprobable

5.5. 0%: 0%: impossibleimpossible

Sound betSound bet ProbabilityProbability

objectiveobjective Risk to reward ratioRisk to reward ratio

subjectivesubjective

5 levels of 5 levels of probabilityprobability

1.1. 100%: 100%: certaincertain

2.2. less than 100% & more than 50%: less than 100% & more than 50%: probableprobable

3.3. 50%: 50%: equal chanceequal chance

4.4. less than 50% & more than 0%: less than 50% & more than 0%: improbableimprobable

5.5. 0%: 0%: impossibleimpossible

ConceptsConcepts UniversalUniversal

abstractsabstracts space/timespace/time

Not universalNot universal physical thingsphysical things

Value of correctnessValue of correctness

Correctness

beneficial

Created conceptsCreated concepts

legitimate legitimate

illegitimate (pseudo-concepts)illegitimate (pseudo-concepts) emotion generatedemotion generated

AttitudeAttitude

Value of pseudo-Value of pseudo-conceptsconcepts

EstheticsEsthetics ArtArt

PoetryPoetry EntertainmentEntertainment

Sounding coolSounding cool

lovelove

Ayn’s love Ayn’s love unscrambledunscrambled

conceptsconcepts

lovelove

exception exception makingmaking

categoriescategories

things caused things caused by loveby love

exceptionsexceptions

Ayn’s love Ayn’s love unscrambledunscrambled

thingsthingscausedcausedbybylovelove

exceptionsexceptions

Important Important distinctiondistinction

what something iswhat something is

what causes itwhat causes it

what it causeswhat it causes

Inconsistent premisesInconsistent premises

Internally inconsistent Internally inconsistent with itselfwith itself

Externally inconsistent Externally inconsistent with another premisewith another premise

Internally inconsistent premisesInternally inconsistent premises

Everything is relative.Everything is relative.

All knowledge is subjective.All knowledge is subjective.

There are no universally true statements.There are no universally true statements.

Intolerance is evil.Intolerance is evil.

Intolerant speech should be suppressed.Intolerant speech should be suppressed.

Self contradictory statements ?Self contradictory statements ?

This statement is false.This statement is false. I am lying.I am lying. I am a liar.I am a liar. I am ashamed of my pride.I am ashamed of my pride. liberty and justice for all liberty and justice for all Expect the unexpected.Expect the unexpected. agree to disagreeagree to disagree Less is more.Less is more.

MeaningMeaning

literalliteral

intendedintended

External contradictionExternal contradiction

A = B. A = B.

A doesn’t = B. A doesn’t = B.

Externally inconsistent premisesExternally inconsistent premises

Materialism is true. Abstracts exist.Materialism is true. Abstracts exist.

Objective values exist, but an objective Objective values exist, but an objective evaluator doesn’t.evaluator doesn’t.

You can’t legislate morality. You can’t legislate morality. Murder should be illegal.Murder should be illegal.

God is omnipotent. God cannot lie.God is omnipotent. God cannot lie.

External contradictionExternal contradiction

A = B.A = B.

B = C. B = C.

A doesn’t = C. A doesn’t = C.

EMOTIONEMOTION

OppositesOpposites

true opposite true opposite

vs. pseudo-oppositevs. pseudo-opposite

oror

opposite of negativity opposite of negativity

vs. opposite of absencevs. opposite of absence

OppositionOpposition

the relationship of two conceptsthe relationship of two conceptson a common axis and equidistanton a common axis and equidistantfrom a midpoint on that axis.from a midpoint on that axis.

AA - A- A

^̂

Absolute oppositesAbsolute opposites

-4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4

^̂

Relative oppositesRelative opposites

^̂

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 70 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

hot-coldhot-cold fast-slowfast-slow

OppositionOppositionwithout a midpoint ?without a midpoint ?

truetrue falsefalse ^̂middlemiddle

More ?More ?Don’t worry. You’ll find it.Don’t worry. You’ll find it.

Burden of proofBurden of proof

Not a law.Not a law.

Just a social obligation.Just a social obligation.

If your point is provable, If your point is provable,

prove it. prove it.

Joe: All S are P.Joe: All S are P.

Fred: Some S are not P.Fred: Some S are not P.

B.o.p. is on FredB.o.p. is on Fred . .

Joe: Some S are P.Joe: Some S are P.

Fred: No S are P.Fred: No S are P.

B.o.p. is on JoeB.o.p. is on Joe . .

Joe: If A, then B.Joe: If A, then B.

Fred: Not necessarily.Fred: Not necessarily.

B.o.p. is on FredB.o.p. is on Fred . .

Burden of proofBurden of proof

If your point is If your point is moremore provable, provable,

don’t assert an equal burden don’t assert an equal burden

on him whose point is on him whose point is

lessless provable. provable.

Joe: X exists in this boxJoe: X exists in this box ..

Fred: No it doesn’t.Fred: No it doesn’t.

B.o.p. is inapplicableB.o.p. is inapplicable . .

Joe: X exists in this buildingJoe: X exists in this building ..

Fred: No it doesn’t.Fred: No it doesn’t.

B.o.p. is shifting to JoeB.o.p. is shifting to Joe . .

Joe: X exists withinJoe: X exists within

observable observable space/timespace/time ..

Fred: No it doesn’t.Fred: No it doesn’t.

B.o.p. is unclearB.o.p. is unclear . .

Joe: X exists .Joe: X exists .

Fred: No it doesn’t .Fred: No it doesn’t .

B.o.p. is inapplicableB.o.p. is inapplicable . .

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objectiveobjective

realityreality

subjectivesubjective

realityreality

objectiveobjective

statementstatementOranges Oranges

are round.are round.I like the I like the taste of taste of oranges.oranges.

subjectivesubjective

statementstatementOranges Oranges appear appear round.round.

Oranges Oranges taste good.taste good.

statement vs. reality

An objective An objective fact exists fact exists

apart from a apart from a mind. mind.

A subjective A subjective fact exists fact exists

insideinside

a mind.a mind.An objective An objective statement is statement is

about an about an objective fact.objective fact.

A subjective A subjective statement is statement is

about a about a subjective subjective

fact.fact.

statement vs. fact

Logic serves premises.Logic serves premises.

Major premiseMajor premiseMinor premiseMinor premise

ConclusionConclusion

True premiseTrue premiseFalse premiseFalse premise

False conclusionFalse conclusion

True premiseTrue premiseTrue premiseTrue premise

True conclusionTrue conclusion

False premiseFalse premiseTrue premiseTrue premise

False conclusionFalse conclusion