Is, Ought; Free Will
From what I understand, one can’t observe what is and derive any action that is logically conclusory. Several question arise:
With the knowledge that actions are preformed (and assuming free will) how can one reconcile this conclusion with observed reality?
Is logic detrimental to evidently self driven organisms? With limited computing power, and environmental complexity leading to endless permutations, it is impossible to derive any logical way of living in any environment, that is not based on fundamentally irrational conclusions that happen to lead to reproductive success. Can logical systems exist within fundamentally illogical conclusions?
As a simple analogy, when programing a computer, the human, (although not always) determines the action required for a predetermined set of criteria; but an action is still preformed, does this make (assuming no free will) all oughts, fundamentally “is” statements about reality (The confusion seems to enter in the variety of non-logical conclusions reached by individuals programed by different environments)?
Humans tend to own/justify actions taken and thoughts had in retrospect. This apparent illusion, which you can notice if you pay attention, possibly causes us to believe that ought statements exist. Are there any oughts?
With the knowledge that actions are preformed (and assuming free will) how can one reconcile this conclusion with observed reality?
Is logic detrimental to evidently self driven organisms? With limited computing power, and environmental complexity leading to endless permutations, it is impossible to derive any logical way of living in any environment, that is not based on fundamentally irrational conclusions that happen to lead to reproductive success. Can logical systems exist within fundamentally illogical conclusions?
As a simple analogy, when programing a computer, the human, (although not always) determines the action required for a predetermined set of criteria; but an action is still preformed, does this make (assuming no free will) all oughts, fundamentally “is” statements about reality (The confusion seems to enter in the variety of non-logical conclusions reached by individuals programed by different environments)?
Humans tend to own/justify actions taken and thoughts had in retrospect. This apparent illusion, which you can notice if you pay attention, possibly causes us to believe that ought statements exist. Are there any oughts?
Comments (1)
Irrational isn't the same as illogical. So yes, logic works just fine based on irrational premises.
Quoting Grey Vs Gray
Obviously ought-statements exists, because you understand what they mean in practice. As to whether ought statements can be established by pure reason (which you might think of as "logic"), I don't think so. But I think they can be established in practice. So in a way, "is" and "ought" are connected, but it's not a simple "is implies ought" relationship.