Does logic matter if it doesn't change the way I live?

[Tom Lane]

On a tangent... it occurs to me that most important decisions are clouded by a couple of issues:

1. Incomplete, or even contradictory information, including information from inadvertently or deliberately biased sources

2. Cost of delay creates a diminishing return on waiting for complete information to emerge

I encounter these situation all the time in business.

Good observation. But, I would add that you can still make a rational and logically consistent decision given the information available at the time. It may turn out to be a poor decision, but that judgement doesn't necessarily mean that it was not logical when it was made.

 

[fdeck]

If your significant other asks "Does this outfit make me look fat?" What is the logical answer?

The logical answer is: "No, your fat makes you look fat."

 

[INTP]

On a tangent... it occurs to me that most important decisions are clouded by a couple of issues:

1. Incomplete, or even contradictory information, including information from inadvertently or deliberately biased sources

2. Cost of delay creates a diminishing return on waiting for complete information to emerge

I encounter these situation all the time in business.

I don't think this is tangential at all. The times when we have to make decisions and have all the necessary information are more likely to be the exception rather than the rule. This alone makes the application of logic less relevant.

 

[INTP]

The logical answer is: "No, your fat makes you look fat."

That will hurt. Just sayin'

 

[INTP]

Good observation. But, I would add that you can still make a rational and logically consistent decision given the information available at the time. It may turn out to be a poor decision, but that judgement doesn't necessarily mean that it was not logical when it was made.

I don't disagree with your point, but it does make me wonder when to favor trying to optimize for "rational and logically consistent" vs. trying to optimize for satisfaction after the fact.

 

[slobake]

That will hurt. Just sayin'

Good thing my S.O. is not fat.

 

[Tom Lane]

That will hurt. Just sayin'

Her? or the beating you're gonna get after you say it?

 

[Tom Lane]

I don't disagree with your point, but it does make me wonder when to favor trying to optimize for "rational and logically consistent" vs. trying to optimize for satisfaction after the fact.

How are they different? Satisfaction after the fact can't be one of the criteria?

 

[Tom Bomb]

Good observation. But, I would add that you can still make a rational and logically consistent decision given the information available at the time. It may turn out to be a poor decision, but that judgement doesn't necessarily mean that it was not logical when it was made.

The dangling modifier sometimes also presents a problem. Or should that read, 'The dangling modifier also presents a problem sometimes'? What it all means does matter. All meaning matters - all ways, always matters. And if it didn't matter, then, logically, that's what would matter the most. No logic is still a form of logic, the art of reason. You can't argue with that logic. Nobody can… It is fun, but