I used to be quite interested in that kind of technology, I had even set up a few experiments on wiki, though they never went that far … I used to argue that those could be a good way of creating information on divisive issues, as an alternative to having both sides set up their own resources and avoid linking to good arguments from the other side.
I guess now I’ve lost interest about those, and don’t think they’re that useful. Someday I’ll have to go back and try all the “high-tech debate” sites that have sprunt up, but I’m more skeptical about the benefit of those kinds of “debate technology”. (one red flag is I don’t feel that inclined to participate in them, at least, much less than I would in forums or blog comments)
I think having publicly edited “chains of reasoning” could be interesting, because they could help show someone where others might disagree with his logic. Like, if the objectivists you mention had their formal proofs laid out for public criticism, they’d probably be forced to admit that it isn’t as strong as what they thought.
In other words, I don’t think “pyramids of logic” have much value, but these sites might help point out the weaknesses of pyramids of logic to those who rely on them too much (Blaise Pascal, I’m looking at you).
I used to be quite interested in that kind of technology, I had even set up a few experiments on wiki, though they never went that far … I used to argue that those could be a good way of creating information on divisive issues, as an alternative to having both sides set up their own resources and avoid linking to good arguments from the other side.
I guess now I’ve lost interest about those, and don’t think they’re that useful. Someday I’ll have to go back and try all the “high-tech debate” sites that have sprunt up, but I’m more skeptical about the benefit of those kinds of “debate technology”. (one red flag is I don’t feel that inclined to participate in them, at least, much less than I would in forums or blog comments)
I think having publicly edited “chains of reasoning” could be interesting, because they could help show someone where others might disagree with his logic. Like, if the objectivists you mention had their formal proofs laid out for public criticism, they’d probably be forced to admit that it isn’t as strong as what they thought.
In other words, I don’t think “pyramids of logic” have much value, but these sites might help point out the weaknesses of pyramids of logic to those who rely on them too much (Blaise Pascal, I’m looking at you).