Pure logical reasoning thrives in loneliness but produces empty pseudo-truth

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 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Determining what is “reasonable” is closely related to the overarching process we call “reasoning,” a progression of thought based upon the logical relation between truths. … Reasoning involves recognizing a “link in actual things, that makes one thing the ground, warrant, evidence, for believing in something else.” — Ruggero J. Aldisert, Agatha D. Aldisert, Logic for Lawyers- A Guide to Clear…, 247 (#qualifies, via linked claim)

It is this independence of truth, which has been presupposed throughout history, that Pragmatism most avidly denies. Our external life no less than our internal life, the pragmatist claims, is based on some imagination of knowledge. If it is true it will preserve and support our life; if it is an error, it will lead us into ruin. Our imaginations are formed by purely psychic influences. In no way are they mechanical reflections of the reality in which our real lives are intertwined. Hence it would be a most remarkable coincidence if they were to lead to desirable and predictable consequences within the realm of the real. It is probable, however, that among the numerous impressions and ideas which determine our active life, there are those which obtain the title of truth because they support and sustain life, while others with opposing consequences are called erroneous. Hence there is no originally independent truth which is subsequently drawn into the stream of life in order to guide it appropriately. On the contrary, among the infinite number of images and ideas which are borne along on the stream of our consciousness, there are some which correspond with our will to live. One might say that this is an accident; without this accident, however, we could not exist. It is precisely these supportive ideas which we recognize as right and true. Thus it is neither the objects by themselves, nor sovereign reason, which determine the truth-value of our thoughts. Rather, it is life—which expresses itself sometimes through the stark necessities of survival, sometimes through the deepest spiritual needs—that forces us to classify our ideas, one pole of which we designate as the full truth and the other as full error. — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 857 (#contradicts, 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; The truth of ideas is independent of their social origins — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 210; Reasoning requires recognizing real logical connections and relationships among facts — Ruggero J. Aldisert, Agatha D. Aldisert, Logic for Lawyers- A Guide to Clear…, 247 (+9 more)

Related

• Truth of a theory is independent of either its productivity or its non-application (similarity 0.84)
• Premature systematization produces only illusory coherence in a doctrine (similarity 0.83)
• A self-consistent philosophy can be completely false while inconsistent systems hold truth (similarity 0.83)
• Life’s needs rather than independent reason determine what counts as truth (similarity 0.82)
• Under loneliness, self-evident logical reasoning becomes a self-generating substitute for real thought (similarity 0.81)
• The truth of ideas is independent of their social origins (similarity 0.81)
• Formalized reason renders theory incomprehensible and thought meaningful only without meaning. (similarity 0.81)
• A true but incomplete theory can make its holder misread anomalies (similarity 0.80)
• Following saints cannot reveal truth because human minds are not truth-finding (similarity 0.79)
• Reason was originally conceived as a subversive power that transforms reality toward truth (similarity 0.78)

Broader Connections

• A self-consistent philosophy can be completely false while inconsistent systems hold truth #corroborates (0.85) — Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, 2213
• Reasoning requires recognizing real logical connections and relationships among facts #qualifies (0.80) — Ruggero J. Aldisert, Agatha D. Aldisert, Logic for Lawyers- A Guide to Clear…, 247
• Endless theorizing of power can empty power of real meaning #exemplifies (0.78)
• Life’s needs rather than independent reason determine what counts as truth #contradicts (0.78) — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 857
• The truth of ideas is independent of their social origins #contradicts (0.75) — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 210
• Excessive theorizing can empty power of its material exercise #exemplifies (0.75)
• Biology and abstract reason never united humans; concrete thought did #corroborates (0.72)
• Interaction between two minds cannot be modeled by formal deduction alone #complicates (0.70) — Thomas C. Schelling, The Strategy of Conflict, 368