THE IMPORTANCE OF ERRORS

by Tom Minchin | September 2, 2017

Errors in a philosophy are not something to be feared, evaded or denied. They are to be actively predicted and when found rejoiced in.

How on earth can a philosophy correct itself or move forward if it will not acknowledge the possibility of error or develop a mechanism for dealing with mistakes once found?

Don’t the error-deniers know how often an error is the trigger for a major discovery?

Ayn Rand came up with her theory of measurement-omission because she rejected the method of forming a concept put to her by a follower of Thomas Aquinas. She came up with her theory of conceptual essences because she spotted Aristotle’s error in regarding essences as metaphysical. She developed her concept of selfishness after rejecting the common contemporary one.

It is said Plato asked all the right questions in philosophy, but Aristotle came up with all the right answers. Did Plato save Aristotle an awful lot of work or what?

An error is almost like a flash of gold in a rock, promising a rich return if the rock is split. People who fear to find an error in Objectivism, traumatized by Peikoff’s claim that one changed element will bring the whole system crashing down, are victims of an exaggeration. What if an element is wrong and needs to be changed? Wouldn’t that strengthen the system?

If you fight changing even a single element of a philosophy, you have assumed an infallibility no human creation should be credited with.

Systems the caliber of Aristotelianism or Objectivism can contain some errors and remain structurally strong. Errors in them no more bring down the whole structure than some paint scratches collapse a car. But they would be stronger still without errors.

A really rotten system is false from bottom to top—yet even so can carry on for centuries. I offer Kant’s system in evidence. So fear of systemic collapse is overblown.

Now the bit about paint scratches is a lighthearted understatement. A major error is more than a paint scratch. But just as competent mechanics don’t fear finding a broken part, so Objectivists should not fear finding and talking about an error in Objectivism. A new discovery may be the result and that means a more accurate and effective philosophic system–a mental car that drives even better.

© Tom Minchin 2 September 2017

INTRODUCTION

by Tom Minchin | June 5, 2017

Do you want the world to change? It needs to. But it won’t unless people change their ideas.

Is it possible to change ideas? Not according to Dr. Leonard Peikoff, the American philosopher who holds that both our smallest ideas—concepts—and our largest ones—philosophies—are immutable.

Is it a surprise to learn he’s a pessimist?

By contrast, I am an optimist because I know ideas can change—any ideas at all. Whether they should be changed is a matter of rational judgment. But change them you can.

This website is my proof of that assertion.

It is also a declaration of the possibility of beneficial change in any man-made sphere, which is the essence of optimism.

I begin with the widest question first: is philosophy immutable?

Ⓒ Tom Minchin 2017. All rights reserved.
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