Changes

The Principle of Proportionality is particularly useful when the agent is attempting to integrate a discordant belief into their mental framework. For example, suppose a person is a [[materialist]] based on past evidence and experience, and is then suddenly confronted with a substantial body of evidence supporting the existence of [[immaterial]] [[ghosts]]. Although this new evidence may appear persuasive, Hume argues that in order for this new, contradictory belief to be rationally accepted, it must 'overthrow' the entire incumbent weight of evidence showing the existence of ghosts to be [[impossible]]. Ie, so many of our day-to-day, implicit beliefs (such as the existence of tables) rely on an empirical framework to be effective, that each effectively adds weight to the bulk of evidence supporting empiricism. He goes on to implicitly argue that, as [[empiricism]] has such a large, richly interconnected pattern of theories, that the likelihood of anything thus far undiscovered overthrowing of this incumbent body of evidence is exceedingly remote.

The Principle of Proportionality is particularly useful when the agent is attempting to integrate a discordant belief into their mental framework. For example, suppose a person is a [[materialist]] based on past evidence and experience, and is then suddenly confronted with a substantial body of evidence supporting the existence of [[immaterial]] [[ghosts]]. Although this new evidence may appear persuasive, Hume argues that in order for this new, contradictory belief to be rationally accepted, it must 'overthrow' the entire incumbent weight of evidence showing the existence of ghosts to be [[impossible]]. Ie, so many of our day-to-day, implicit beliefs (such as the existence of tables) rely on an empirical framework to be effective, that each effectively adds weight to the bulk of evidence supporting empiricism. He goes on to implicitly argue that, as [[empiricism]] has such a large, richly interconnected pattern of theories, that the likelihood of anything thus far undiscovered overthrowing of this incumbent body of evidence is exceedingly remote.

[[Category: Ontological Principles]]

[[Category:Ontological Principles]]