bahman wrote: ↑Fri Jan 26, 2024 5:12 pm
Yes, those are assumptions. My claim is however right.
If you are agreeing that those are your assumptions that you cannot prove, then my claim is right. I wasn't saying you were wrong (or that you were right). I was pointing out that there are assumptions in all our ontologies and epistemologies.
I didn't say that we, humans, can. We have all sorts of limitations we are aware of.
And these form part of the foundations of our belief systems, secular and religious.
Well, I can prove that the mind exists if change exists. I can prove that there are at least two persons, you and another being, therefore solipsism is wrong.
You can't prove to the solipsist there are other minds. You may well be able to make a good argument.
I think we have a good common understanding. Don't we?
Perhaps, perhaps not. And of course this also depends on our memories. My point is that to prove these things we have to use these assumptions.
Iwannaplato wrote: ↑Fri Jan 26, 2024 9:08 am
Iwannaplato wrote: ↑Fri Jan 26, 2024 9:08 am
in your sense that you have done correct deductive work,
Unless otherwise is shown I have done correct deductive work.
No, that's not how that works. It's not 'I am right unless someone else can prove me wrong.'
So, we have to discuss the issue further. What I said that in your opinion is wrong?
Well, first off, do you agree that someone not being able to prove you wrong does not make you right?
Sorry I should have said "is" instead of "seems".
I think 'seems' was accurate.
Iwannaplato wrote: ↑Fri Jan 26, 2024 9:08 am
If reality is intelligible and coherent then the language can explain it as well.
Well there you go, a couple of ifs right from the start. And which language and which user of language?
Any language with comprehensive vocabulary does the job.
Well, again, there was an if, and if that can't be proven. I do understand that you think language(s) is/(are) coherent and intelligible and explain reality well.
If you are waiting for me to disprove that, I don't really need to.
You are reacting as if I am saying your assumptions are wrong.
A lot of people do this. They assume that if someone is saying 'You didn't demonstrate X,' then that someone believes the opposite and somehow must demonstrate that the opposite is true. I think that is confused. It's also not true. My point is that there are unproven assumptions, which seems to be a criterion for you for rational belief...that there are none of those. I am arguing that none of us can do that for all of our assumptions. In fact, that's why they are called assumptions.
I make assumptions. I think we have to. I believe things I cannot prove to others. I think that's part and parcel with the human situation. We don't and can't wait around for proof for everything. Life is ad hoc to some extent.
Iwannaplato wrote: ↑Fri Jan 26, 2024 9:08 am
(even if you are right) And then how do you demonstrate this without language?
We cannot demonstrate complicated subjects without language.
Right. So we are dependent on language being coherent and intelligible and connect to reality the way we think it is TO SHOW that it is like this. We have to assume it is to try to show it is. But that's a problem. Because the assumption is being made in the demonstration. It's not really demosntrated. It is assumed.
My husband is right
Demonstrate that.
Honey, are you right? (asks her husband)
Yup, I am.
The reality is intelligible and coherent in many cases.
You're asserting your assumptions.
Your cup of tea is where you left it so you know where to look at it.
Or my memory is messed up.
We however are not sure about many other things such as the real color of objects, if there is such a thing, whether there are more than two persons in reality (see above), what is the final theory of physics,...
Yes, we are certain of many of our assumptions. That doesn't mean they are proven or can be.
Well, the truth is timeless. Isn't it?
I don't know. That's not my point. My point is it's an assumption.
So tell me what does that verse mean otherwise?
If I make as assertion and you disagree or point out I am making an assumption, it doesn't make any difference at all if I challenge you to show that I am wrong.
In a philosophy context, that's a confused reaction. You're assuming that I am disagreeing with your assumption. You're assuming that you have somehow demostrated X, if I can't demonstrate not X.
My point is not the X is wrong, but that it's an assumption.
Sorry again, I should have said "is" instead of "seems"!

I think seems was more honest.
I know you believe it is, but you haven't proven it.
And so far you really haven't dealt with the begging the question issue. If you need to assume language works to demonstrate language works, there's a problem with that demonstration. IF you think there is a problem if one has premises one can't prove. IF you think that is somehow damning. Same with memory and other issues I've raised. If, on the other hand, you accept that any system of belief, seems to require some assumptions that one cannot prove, then there isn't a problem.
IOW, I think it's fine that you make these assumptions. But it seemed like you were pointing at others for not being able to prove all their assumptions. And also claiming that you can prove all the premises in all your beliefs. THAT is what I think is not true.
Your reaction is 'demonstrate that my assumption is not correct.' That's a fundamental misunderstanding of what is happening.
I'll leave it here. It's been a number of posts and you still haven't responded to my point. You seem to think I bear some onus to prove that language doesn't work and memory doesn't work etc.
I haven't asserted those things.
And me personally I accept that I make assumptions, which not just by definition, I can't prove to others. Who can?