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Subject: Re: Truth is an emotional event, not only a logical one

Author: Dann Corbit

Date: 20:25:58 11/01/99

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On November 01, 1999 at 23:15:17, Djordje Vidanovic wrote:

>What Cristophe Theron had to say about programming in general and the strengths
>of particular programs rang a bell with me: it was so _sincere_ and
>confessional. And I have a weakness in my thinking that can be placed within the
>domain of philosophy of science that says that truth must be an emotional event.
> Unless a statement is emotional, it is _not_ truth. That is how I view things.
>Christophe was emotional, very much so, and I believe that he was true to the
>facts.  The programming issues he brought up are crucial.

I see no connection at all between truth and emotion.  In fact, I am quite sure
that there is no connection whatsoever.

I do see an enormous connection between emotions and sincerity.

However, sincere persons can be completely wrong.  It happens all the time.

People who hate each other for no reason at all are sincere.  Robert Fischer is
(no doubt) sincere in his feelings for people of Jewish ancestry.  Yet his
sincerity does not validate his position.

People who formerly thought the earth was the center of the universe were
emotional and sincere.  Yet they were mistaken.

However, I do respect C. T.'s opinions and enjoy very much reading his posts.
But I do not consider his conviction or sincerity to be the reason that some
things he says are valid.  They are valid if they are correct -- but not simply
because he believes them to be.

Kierkegaard said that truth is "Man's approximation to reality" and certainly
that is one kind of truth.  I am more akin to Plato's model, that there is an
underlying truth that we only approximate.  Our approximations can get closer
and closer to mathematical certainty, but don't really reach it.

IMO-YMMV.



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