I don’t think “truths” discovered under false assumptions are likely to be, in fact, true. I am not worried about them acquiring dangerous truths; rather, I am worried about people acquiring (and possibly acting on) false beliefs. I remind you that false beliefs may persist as cached thoughts even once the assumption is no longer believed in.
Nor do I want my political opponents to not search for truth; but I would prefer that they (and I) try to contend with each others’ fundamental differences before focusing on how to fully realize their (or my) current position.
I don’t understand your comment. Do you think statements like “the most efficient way to destroy our country is to do X” don’t qualify as truths because they are “discovered under false assumptions”? It seems to me that such statements can be true and very useful to know even if you don’t want to destroy the country, hence my original proposal. Maybe you’re using a nonstandard meaning of “truth” and “assumption”?
You are attributing to me things I did not say.
I don’t think “truths” discovered under false assumptions are likely to be, in fact, true. I am not worried about them acquiring dangerous truths; rather, I am worried about people acquiring (and possibly acting on) false beliefs. I remind you that false beliefs may persist as cached thoughts even once the assumption is no longer believed in.
Nor do I want my political opponents to not search for truth; but I would prefer that they (and I) try to contend with each others’ fundamental differences before focusing on how to fully realize their (or my) current position.
I don’t understand your comment. Do you think statements like “the most efficient way to destroy our country is to do X” don’t qualify as truths because they are “discovered under false assumptions”? It seems to me that such statements can be true and very useful to know even if you don’t want to destroy the country, hence my original proposal. Maybe you’re using a nonstandard meaning of “truth” and “assumption”?