In the Ethics of Belief, William Clifford brings to attention that we need to have proof for everything before believing it is the truth and accepting that idea. He even goes as far to say that its wrong, and lying to do so. This is demonstrated when he says “it is wrong always, anywhere, everywhere, and for anyone, to believe anything upon insufficient evidence”. By these standards we are all wrong, and all liars, so its hard to take this without a grain of salt, however he has a logical argument.
The argument made by Clifford is a sound argument. This argument is sound because if you know it’s not true (or can’t prove it), but you tell yourself it’s true, you are lying to yourself, therefore being dishonest and hurting society. This hurts society because if everyone were to do that there would be great distrust, evolving and snowballing until civilization is on the brink. Not only is that argument valid, it is also sound.
The practical significance of Clifford’s theory is about how we can’t just take the easy way out as it is unhealthy not only for us, but society, to have anything but truth with proof in our minds and lives. He wants us to have an honest lifestyle, not taking shortcuts because of money or personal inconvenience, and to think with actual, concrete, provable, logic and reasoning. He believes this because this is what is best for society. Clifford opens his thesis talking about a man disregarding the safety of his ship, even convincing himself that it’s fine without any proof that the ship was in fact, still fine after its many journeys. His neglect leads to a shipwreck with no survivors. This means his neglect lead to multiple unnecessary deaths. With everyone acting as carelessly as this what will society turn into?
I did not spot any fallacies, as all arguments are sound to me, everything makes sense and clicks, and random things weren’t strewn in.
Philosophy? 