Premature systematization produces only illusory coherence in a doctrine

Evidence

A philosophy which is not self-consistent cannot be wholly true, but a philosophy which is self-consistent can very well be wholly false. The most fruitful philosophies have contained glaring inconsistencies, but for that very reason have been partially true. There is no reason to suppose that a self-consistent system contains more truth than one which, like Locke’s, is obviously more or less wrong. — Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, 2213 (#expands, via linked claim)

Since life is the antithesis of form, and since that which is somehow formed can be conceptually described, the concept of life cannot be freed from logical imprecision. The essence of life would be denied if one tried to form an exhaustive conceptual definition. In order for conscious life to be fully self-conscious, it would have to do without concepts altogether, for conceptualization inevitably brings on the reign of forms; yet concepts are essential to self-consciousness. — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 1018 (#qualifies, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: A self-consistent philosophy can be completely false while inconsistent systems hold truth — Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, 2213; Conceptualization inevitably imposes form on formless life — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 1018; Excessive theorizing can empty power of its material exercise

Related

• A self-consistent philosophy can be completely false while inconsistent systems hold truth (similarity 0.84)
• A true but incomplete theory can make its holder misread anomalies (similarity 0.84)
• Pure logical reasoning thrives in loneliness but produces empty pseudo-truth (similarity 0.83)
• Conceptualization inevitably imposes form on formless life (similarity 0.83)
• Truth of a theory is independent of either its productivity or its non-application (similarity 0.80)
• Attempts to purify language of metaphor are doomed and futile (similarity 0.80)
• No mental form shapes all material uniformly regardless of its structure (similarity 0.79)
• Philosophical refutations are seldom final and merely precede further refinements (similarity 0.79)

Broader Connections

• A self-consistent philosophy can be completely false while inconsistent systems hold truth #expands (0.85) — Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, 2213
• Excessive theorizing can empty power of its material exercise #exemplifies (0.80)
• Conceptualization inevitably imposes form on formless life #qualifies (0.78) — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 1018