In a man whose reasoning powers are good, fallacious arguments are evidence of bias.
--Bertrand Russell, “Philosophy’s Ulterior Motives”. (The context is Descartes’ philosophy and the obviously fallacious proofs he offers of the existence of God and the external world.)
“Bias” has a strict definition. Not all errors are biases. One can clearly be wrong and rational, for example, by not gathering enough information (laziness, or lack of time...).
I’ve encountered the phenomena described in this quote and used it as a signal in the game of Mafia. It’s quite effective but I think has limited general application.
--Bertrand Russell, “Philosophy’s Ulterior Motives”. (The context is Descartes’ philosophy and the obviously fallacious proofs he offers of the existence of God and the external world.)
Or laziness, or lack of time, or honest error. Multiple causes can have the same effect, and hanlons razor comes into play/
“Bias” can include those flaws, especially how the word is used on this site
“Bias” has a strict definition. Not all errors are biases. One can clearly be wrong and rational, for example, by not gathering enough information (laziness, or lack of time...).
I think men whose reasoning powers are that good are few and far between. (Women too, I’m not trying to be some sort of sexist here.)
I’ve encountered the phenomena described in this quote and used it as a signal in the game of Mafia. It’s quite effective but I think has limited general application.