This is an Assumption

[coberst]

This is an Assumption

All domains of knowledge rest upon some form of assumptions. Philosophy, it appears to claim, thinks it does not do so but that is for another discussion.

Our first conscious contact with assumptions probably occurred when we took Geometry and started with axioms such as “a straight line is the shortest distance between two points”.

The natural sciences assume the world is knowable, quantifiable, measurable, etc. Theology assumes the existence of a caring God and the reliability of the written word. Every domain of knowledge is limited by its assumptions. The assumptions distort and limit the world of enquiry for that domain of knowledge.

Our intellectual worldview is filled with assumptions. I think that one task of intellectual maturity is examining our closely held assumptions, which in many cases are carried over from our childhood. Track down your ideologies and examine the assumptions upon which they rest would be a good way to overcome a boring Sunday afternoon.

What assumption does one make in the name of patriotism? I am inclined to say that patriotism is ‘love of country’. I must assume that my nation deserves my love. I must assume that love can be a rationally induced emotion. I assume I my not know what I am talking about here.

Cognitive science has in the last three decades developed empirical evidence that sounds very convincing to me that these ‘gut feelings’ that are also called assumptions are the result of accumulations of experiences. The theory or paradigm is called ‘conceptual metaphor’.

[Specforces]

Re: This is an Assumption

I assume I my not know what I am talking about here.

Coberst, if you keep making posts like this (ones that don't open actual discussion) I will remove you from critical thinking.

Spec Edit:

As much as I can admire you for having the will to self learn and try to expand your own knowledge, you're going to have to get a little bit more organized in your assertations before you start posting them anymore.

[coberst]

Re: This is an Assumption

Coberst, if you keep making posts like this (ones that don't open actual discussion) I will remove you from critical thinking.

Spec Edit:

As much as I can admire you for having the will to self learn and try to expand your own knowledge, you're going to have to get a little bit more organized in your assertations before you start posting them anymore.

If I would have added the following at the end of my OP would that make it more acceptable?

Questions for discussion

Why is the axiom “a straight line is the shortest distance between two points on a two dimensional surface” true? Is it true? Can anyone prove it?

Why is not every domain of knowledge capable of determining the acceptability of its own assumptions? What domain of knowledge can determine the acceptability of the assumptions of all other domains of knowledge?

[Kit-]

Re: This is an Assumption

Why is the axiom “a straight line is the shortest distance between two points on a two dimensional surface” true? Is it true? Can anyone prove it?

If a path is the shortest path from A to C, then if B is a point on the path, the shortest path from A to C must equal the shortest path from A to B, then from B to C. If we apply this definition recursively, we can see that any one segment of the path must be a scaled version of this path. Thus, the only pathform which the shortest path can be is one for which any arbitrary scaled copy with a ratio 0 < r < 1 can be expressed as a segment of the path itself—a fractal with self-similarities for all of these ratios. The only possible pathform, thus, is a line.

[coberst]

Re: This is an Assumption

kit

You assume " a path is the shortest path from A to C".

[Chrissi]

Re: This is an Assumption

kit

You assume " a path is the shortest path from A to C".

I believe kit is not assuming anything, but just proposing.

If you followed the argument, you'd see that it makes sense.

[Specforces]

Re: This is an Assumption

If I would have added the following at the end of my OP would that make it more acceptable?

Questions for discussion

Why is the axiom “a straight line is the shortest distance between two points on a two dimensional surface” true? Is it true? Can anyone prove it?

Why is not every domain of knowledge capable of determining the acceptability of its own assumptions? What domain of knowledge can determine the acceptability of the assumptions of all other domains of knowledge?

Yes, much better. Start doing this and we'll be peach.

Thank you good sir,

-Spec

[itmorr]

Re: This is an Assumption

pf:
Given points a and b as coordinates in the plane of a two dimensional surface, assume that a straight line is NOT the shortest distance between a and b. Then, there must be another shortest path between a and b. Following Kit's argument, we have a contradiction.

Is that a valid proof?

[Maid]

Re: This is an Assumption

Coberst is a bot, someone, might be testing new type or something. /shrug

[Specforces]

Re: This is an Assumption

Yeah, maybe. Maybe so....

[aperson]

Re: This is an Assumption

Read Godel's Proofs

Read Godel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid by Douglas Hofstadter. These examine the very nature of what you are talking about.

[TK_yesillkillubitchboez]

Re: This is an Assumption

Suppose the line is drawn on a piece of paper, fold starting point until it touches the endpoint. Therefore, contorting things can change the theory that the shortest way to point A to point B is a straight line. This is also applied in space travel. If we can literally bend space itself then we may be able to travel farther in less time. Saw this on Discovery channel.

I shouldn't be thinking this hard I'm only 14.