Thesis
The thesis of The Roots of Sound Rational Thinking is that:
The most feasible way to advance our abilities to progress in peace is to sufficiently employ root verities and adequately correct root errors.
Root verities are good enough answers to questions about thinking. They do not create problems because they are solutions.
Root errors are insufficient answers to questions about thinking. Root errors only create grave problems when they are taken seriously.
This thesis is based on two premises and a conclusion.
MAJOR PREMISE: The most feasible way to advance our abilities to progress in peace is to (A) develop clear ideas, (B) esteem impartial truth, (C) promote right reason, (D) foster fair play, (E) augment good will, (F) cultivate civil discourse, (G) set wise priorities, (H) strive for legitimate verification.
MINOR PREMISE: The most feasible way to (A) enlighten understanding, (B) esteem impartial truth, (C) promote right reason, (D) foster fair play, (E) augment good will, (F) cultivate civil discourse, (G) set wise priorities and (H) strive for legitimate verification is to sufficiently employ root verities and adequately correct root errors.
ERGO: The most feasible way to advance our abilities to progress in peace is to sufficiently employ root verities and adequately correct root errors.
If we are to advance our abilities to progress in peace, we best serve our goal by supporting sound rational verities and by correcting errors in rational thinking. If we follow this course we will improve negotiation quality, increase our chances for peace and enrich society.
Part H of this study shows how our abilities progress in peace can be used to measure the validity of our rational assumptions.
In line with the major premise above, this study is divided into eight parts. When we incorporate roots of sound rational thinking into our systems of thought we advance our abilities to progress in peace because we:
A: Develop Clear Ideas (Part A)
B: Build Esteem for Impartial Truth (Part B)
C: Encourage Respect for Right Reason (Part C)
D: Foster Fair Play (Part D)
E: Spread Good Will (Part E)
F: Enrich Civil Discourse. (Part F)
G: Set Wise Priorities (Part G)
H: Strive for Legitimate Verification (Part H)
More exactly:
Part A: Develop Clear Ideas: This section addresses the logical need of coming to terms. It includes Definitions; Motive; Method; Negotiation Skills, Rational Style, Intuition, Commonsense, Criticism, Honesty, Illusion, Knowledge, Complexity; Improvement, and much more.
Part B: Build Esteem for Impartial Truth: This section stresses the relation of truth to judgment. Human judgment is limited and continually in in a process of development. Impartial truth is reliable, firm and universal. It is the same for all people. Part B includes chapters on Language Wisdom, Definition Theory, Intension, Authentic Root Claims, True-False Talent, Terms and Propositions, Core Meanings, Certainty, Qualification Gap, Definition of Truth, Complaints, Word Squandering and more.
Part C: Encourage Right Reason: This section deals with the distinction between valid and invalid reasoning. It includes Syllogisms, Facts, Principles, Deduction, Experiment, Good Humor, Benefit of the Doubt, Breakthrough Discovery Set, Fallacies, etc.
[Personal note: In 1975 I wrote several chapters on the rules of right reason. Although my ideas have not essentially changed, my ability to express myself is much improved and my research is more extensive. These chapters are written but I choose not to put them on line until I have time to polish them and update examples]
Part D: Foster Fair Play: This section shows how the distinction between Fair Play and Foul Fighting is connected to the distinction between valid and invalid reasoning. It discusses the relation of Individualism & Community; Liberty & Equality, Freedom & Law, Theory & Practice, Justice & Mercy, Science & Superstition, Trust versus Suspicion, and more.
[Personal note: Most of these chapters are written but I choose not to put them on line until I have time to polish them and update examples]
Part E: Augment Good Will: This section deals with human nature. It includes an expanded discussion of Balanced Realism, Affirmative Psychology; Free Will, Choice, Human Nature, Privilege and Responsibility, Manners, and other related ideas.
[Personal note: In my files I have several chapters on Free Will and Human Nature but they are not ready for publication]
Part F. Uphold Basic Values of Civil Discourse: This section dwells on our abilities to talk with each other and shows how successful outcome of conflict depends on our abilities to uphold basic values of civil discourse. It includes Dialectic, Civil Discourse; Democracy, Enlightenment (genuine, pseudo), Conciliation, etc.
Personal note: I have on line an essay: "Dialectic, Which is Which" that presents a brief history of the term dialectic until modern times. With Kant, Hegel and Marx, the term 'dialectic' acquired a new life that is crucial in understanding the plight of 'rationality' in current academic theories and the quality of political discourse in the United States and among nations. I have much to say about these developments but I have not yet published this material.
Part G: Establish Wise Priorities: This section includes Goals, Progress; Peace; Business of Philosophers; History; Science and Religion.
[Personal note. I have completed chapters on "Peace" and "Progress" and partially completed chapters on "Goals", "Business of Philosophers", "Faith and Reason" and others. Getting them ready to put on line is time consuming.]
Part H: Strive for Legitimate Verification: To test the values of sound rational thinking we have to use the values of sound rational thinking.
This presents a critical problem.
What do we do about mistakes in rational theory?
I call this the Ultra Root Problem.
We solve the Ultra Root Problem by educational methods that adequately promulgate the basic requirements of sound rational thinking.
We test the quality of the rational style of a community by effects. Is the quality divisive, producing hate and suspicion or is the quality productive leading to mutual understanding and trust? How well do people listen to each other? Does political discourse build community or is politics promoting class warfare?
We can measure the state of our rational thinking by how well we promote trust, understanding and good will in our society.
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