Provided we have the right type of rigor, we need randomness, mess, adventures, uncertainty, self-discovery, near-traumatic episodes--all these things that make life worth living--compared to the structured, ineffective life of an empty-suit CEO with a pre-set schedule and an alarm clock. (Taleb ) [More]

We are generally the better persuaded by the reasons we discover ourselves than by those given to us by others. (Pascal) [More]

A recent paper by Helen de Cruz talks about why two educated people who are exposed to the same evidence disagree on the conclusion of an argument. The reasons aren't all that simple. [More]

"To conduct an argument in the traditional sense, it is essential that there be some common ground. Unless the participants agree on the premises, there is no point in trying to derive a conclusion." [More]

Two men in southern Russia apparently were arguing over Kant's philosophy when a fight broke out ending with one man shooting the other several times. [More]

To accept everything is an exercise, to understand everything a strain. The poet only desires exaltation and expansion, a world to stretch himself in. The poet only asks to get his head into the heavens. It is the logician who seeks to get the heavens into his head. And it is his head that splits. (Chesterton) [More]

“[Abduction is] a tentative acceptance of an explanatory hypothesis which, if true, would make the phenomenon under investigation intelligible.” (Peirce) [More]

A clever little ebook that serves as a primer on logical fallacies. The entire ebook is online. [More]

“You know you've made you’ve made your point when the response sounds less like the searing logic of an good argument and more like the dull thud of a pounded pulpit.” [More]

Ever wonder about philosophy? If so, you've philosophized. Ever wonder if there is value in wondering? Rick Pimentel explores these questions and gives us some reasons why he thinks philosophy is one of the most valuable discplines available to mankind. [More]