Yes I was. My point was that if one writes a program that purports to prove that
“eating meat is immoral” actually follow from the propositions...
then the code can be examined and the hidden assumptions and inferences explicated. In the trivial example you wrote the conclusion is assumed, so the argument that it is proven from the propositions (by this program) is falsified.
Ah. Yeah, agreed. Of course, enough philosophers disdain computer science entirely that the “arguments” most in need of such treatment would be highly unlikely to receive it. “Argument by handwaving” or “argument by intimidation” is all too common among professional philosophers.
The worst part is how awkward it feels to challenge such faux-arguments. “Uh… this… what does this… say? This… doesn’t say anything. This… this is actually just a bunch of nonsense. And the parts that aren’t nonsense are just… just false. Is this… is this really supposed to be the argument?”
I confess to being confused about your intended point. I thought you were more or less agreeing with me, but now I am not so sure?
Yes I was. My point was that if one writes a program that purports to prove that
then the code can be examined and the hidden assumptions and inferences explicated. In the trivial example you wrote the conclusion is assumed, so the argument that it is proven from the propositions (by this program) is falsified.
Ah. Yeah, agreed. Of course, enough philosophers disdain computer science entirely that the “arguments” most in need of such treatment would be highly unlikely to receive it. “Argument by handwaving” or “argument by intimidation” is all too common among professional philosophers.
The worst part is how awkward it feels to challenge such faux-arguments. “Uh… this… what does this… say? This… doesn’t say anything. This… this is actually just a bunch of nonsense. And the parts that aren’t nonsense are just… just false. Is this… is this really supposed to be the argument?”
Hence my insistence on writing it up in a way a computer would understand.