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-   -   Logic, Math, and Politics (http://archives2.twoplustwo.com/showthread.php?t=398331)

Andrew Fletcher 12-14-2005 01:43 PM

Logic, Math, and Politics
 
I curious to know what people in this forum have to say about a recent discussion in the politics forum.

Liberals are regularly criticized for not having any fundamental principals. In contrast, conservatives have an ideological viewpoint that is based in moral absolutes. Conservatives know what they want while liberals are constantly changing their position based on circumstance.

Let’s apply this logic to math class. I love the number 5. It’s always been my favorite number, ever since I was a little kid. How would I do in a math class where I refused to consider any answer but 5?

Is there any flaw in my logic that I’m not seeing?

Trantor 12-14-2005 02:13 PM

Re: Logic, Math, and Politics
 
[ QUOTE ]
I curious to know what people in this forum have to say about a recent discussion in the politics forum.

Liberals are regularly criticized for not having any fundamental principals. In contrast, conservatives have an ideological viewpoint that is based in moral absolutes. Conservatives know what they want while liberals are constantly changing their position based on circumstance.

Let’s apply this logic to math class. I love the number 5. It’s always been my favorite number, ever since I was a little kid. How would I do in a math class where I refused to consider any answer but 5?

Is there any flaw in my logic that I’m not seeing?

[/ QUOTE ]

You haven't presented any logical argument so there is no flaw to find. You made one statement and then posed a question. I don't think I am missing anything!

12-14-2005 02:28 PM

Re: Logic, Math, and Politics
 
[ QUOTE ]
I curious to know what people in this forum have to say about a recent discussion in the politics forum.

Liberals are regularly criticized for not having any fundamental principals. In contrast, conservatives have an ideological viewpoint that is based in moral absolutes. Conservatives know what they want while liberals are constantly changing their position based on circumstance.

Let’s apply this logic to math class. I love the number 5. It’s always been my favorite number, ever since I was a little kid. How would I do in a math class where I refused to consider any answer but 5?

Is there any flaw in my logic that I’m not seeing?

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm more liberal than conservative... but I think a good balance is best: change for progress, but cautiously for safety. Liberals seem to embrace change and diversity, conservatives embrace stability & uniformity. Too liberal becomes chaos. Too conservative becomes stagnant.

Andrew Fletcher 12-14-2005 02:45 PM

Re: Logic, Math, and Politics
 
How does something become too liberal? By default, American liberalism is designed to keep from getting too extreme in one direction or another.

Andrew Fletcher 12-14-2005 02:49 PM

Re: Logic, Math, and Politics
 
I actually made two statements about American politics:

1) Conservatives are ideologically rigid and proud of that fact.
2) Liberals are ideologically flexible and often attacked for that fact.

I then asked which would be more sucessful in a math class, a liberal or conservative approach? Do you have an answer?

12-14-2005 03:02 PM

Re: Logic, Math, and Politics
 
[ QUOTE ]
How does something become too liberal?

[/ QUOTE ]

By not having enough conservative constraints?

12-14-2005 03:05 PM

Re: Logic, Math, and Politics
 
[ QUOTE ]
I then asked which would be more sucessful in a math class, a liberal or conservative approach? Do you have an answer?

[/ QUOTE ]

Your characterization does not conform to reality. Look, I'm one of the most liberal people I know... so I know where you are coming from. But, it does no good to make ridiculous analogies like that.

I could just as easy say:

A conservative says: 2+2=4 was true yesterday, so it's true today. A liberal wants to take a vote, and make sure everybody is OK with 2+2 being equal to 4. Which would do better in a math class?

Andrew Fletcher 12-14-2005 04:07 PM

Re: Logic, Math, and Politics
 
[ QUOTE ]
A conservative says: 2+2=4 was true yesterday, so it's true today. A liberal wants to take a vote, and make sure everybody is OK with 2+2 being equal to 4. Which would do better in a math class?

[/ QUOTE ] This is interesting. Do liberals really want to take a vote about all of those things? And do conservatives really have access to any kind of fundemental truth? Does truth even exist?

Or can situations only be evaluated in context?

MelchyBeau 12-14-2005 04:10 PM

Re: Logic, Math, and Politics
 
Kip, you could argue both sides.

You are partially correct with the 2+2=4 example, but what about is this the best method of solving this system of equations or what not? If we stay too rigid there would be no advancement of math.

Melch

hmkpoker 12-14-2005 04:24 PM

Re: Logic, Math, and Politics
 
[ QUOTE ]
I actually made two statements about American politics:

1) Conservatives are ideologically rigid and proud of that fact.
2) Liberals are ideologically flexible and often attacked for that fact.

I then asked which would be more sucessful in a math class, a liberal or conservative approach? Do you have an answer?

[/ QUOTE ]

Irrelevant. Political ideology has nothing to do with mathematics.


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