Question

Are arguments that Reason is circular themselves circular and/or self refuting?. I am basically open to the idea of using Reason to show Reason doesn't work, but really only for specific cases - case by case.

Would a claim that all Reason is unreliable itself be unreliable?

Answer 1

Claiming that all Reason is unreliable by using reasoning is potentially a self-refuting argument. Specific problems in reasoning can be identified without making broad claims about Reason as a whole. One must tread carefully in philosophical debates to avoid circular reasoning and consider alternative arguments with substantial backup.

Step-by-step explanation:

The argument that Reason is circular and/or self-refuting is an intriguing philosophical challenge. Arguing that all Reason is unreliable would itself be an exercise in reasoning, potentially leading to a self-refuting position. This is because in asserting that Reason is unreliable universally, one must employ Reason to make that very case, thereby relying on the very thing that is being called into question. However, the claim that specific instances or types of reasoning are flawed is not necessarily circular, as it could be based on identifying specific problems with certain methods or applications of reasoning.

Three common problems with arguments include:

1. Premises that are false or questionable
2. Premises that contain the conclusion, known as circular reasoning
3. Premises that are inadequate to support the conclusion

Additionally, when alternative arguments exist with equal or greater support, it demonstrates that more than one line of reasoning can be valid, further complicating the claim that all reasoning is unreliable.

An argument debunking Reason must avoid these problems to be convincing. In particular, it should not assume what it is trying to prove (circular reasoning) or neglect alternative viewpoints with substantial backing. Philosophical skepticism highlights the challenges in overcoming doubt, but classical responses often involve rejecting the need for certainty as a prerequisite for knowledge or justification.

Ultimately, to doubt the use of reasoning itself raises deep philosophical questions, and it requires careful examination of what it means to know and to justify belief. In practice, most careful thinkers will critically evaluate reasoning on a case-by-case basis, acknowledging that some forms of reasoning may be flawed without dismissing Reason in its entirety.