Arbitrary: Difference between revisions

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A true claim (see [[truth]]) is one where the evidence indicates that the claim describes reality. A false claim is one where the evidence indicates that the claim does ''not'' describe reality. An arbitrary claim is one lacking any evidence, which is therefore neither true nor false. Arbitrary claim are, strictly speaking, not part of epistemology since they are not derived from reason. However, they are treated under epistemology because outside Objectivism, they may be ''used'' as an invalid means of gaining knowledge (more typical, denying knowledge).
A true claim (see [[truth]]) is one where the evidence indicates that the claim describes reality. A false claim is one where the evidence indicates that the claim does ''not'' describe reality. An arbitrary claim is one lacking any evidence, which is therefore neither true nor false. Arbitrary claims are, strictly speaking, not part of epistemology since they are not derived from reason. However, they are treated under epistemology because outside Objectivism, they may be ''used'' as an invalid means of gaining knowledge (more typical, denying knowledge).


A common arbitrary claim would be a statement like "There ''might'' be a tiny moon orbiting Earth -- you don't know that there isn't". Arbitrary statements are invalid as part of reasoning, and are widely used in denying the possibility of [[certainty]], typically by asserting that one does not know that the arbitrary claim is not false.
A common arbitrary claim would be a statement like "There ''might'' be a tiny moon orbiting Earth -- you don't know that there isn't". Arbitrary statements are invalid as part of reasoning, and are widely used in denying the possibility of [[certainty]], typically by asserting that one does not know that the arbitrary claim is not false.

Revision as of 20:24, 29 June 2004

A true claim (see truth) is one where the evidence indicates that the claim describes reality. A false claim is one where the evidence indicates that the claim does not describe reality. An arbitrary claim is one lacking any evidence, which is therefore neither true nor false. Arbitrary claims are, strictly speaking, not part of epistemology since they are not derived from reason. However, they are treated under epistemology because outside Objectivism, they may be used as an invalid means of gaining knowledge (more typical, denying knowledge).

A common arbitrary claim would be a statement like "There might be a tiny moon orbiting Earth -- you don't know that there isn't". Arbitrary statements are invalid as part of reasoning, and are widely used in denying the possibility of certainty, typically by asserting that one does not know that the arbitrary claim is not false.