Even though inductive reasoning allows us to have different predictions and assumption, there are also limitations shown in the area of knowledges of Maths and Science. Mathematics involves that processing of resolving question by providing mathematical proofs. Hence,reason plays a vital and curial role in affecting our logical thinking while we are solving mathematical questions. Mathematical induction is established while the first statement in the infinite sequences is true, then providing that if any one statement in the infinite sequence of statements is true, then so is the next one. (Problem of induction. 2012, May 8) One of the example shown clearly the the Mathematical spectrum is the arithmetic progression. Arithmetic progression is sequences of number that share the same different between each consecutive term. This progression follows the steps of inductive reasoning because an initial proposition was given and base on that true statement, we will have to assume or predict what might happen. For instance, the example where an asset may depreciate by a fixed amount per year. If the initial cost of the asset is costed $100 and it depreciates $5 per year then the value of depreciation follow an arithmetic progression The strength of applying inductive reasoning in the mathematical world is that it trains people to think logically while providing feasible mathematical proofs at the same time. According to David Hume, a scottish Philosopher, he suggested “the fact that our everyday habits of mind depend on drawing uncertain conclusions from our relatively limited experiences rather than on deductively valid arguments” (Problem of induction. 2012, May 8) He further argues that it’s basically impossible to justify inductive reasoning because justification and inductive reasoning have a circular relationship. This shows that how unreliable inductive reasoning. Is reasoning trust-worthy? Even though he suggested that inductive reasoning is unjustifiable, we would still have to rely on it. Another philosopher of science, Karl Popper, “argued that that science does not use induction, and induction is in fact a myth” (Problem of induction. 2012, May 8) Karl Popper illustrated the point that inductive reasoning is asking how to justify theories given that they cannot be justified by inductive reasoning. As a result, in certain extent reasoning in certain aspect might not be as authentic as we thought. So, is reasoning a legitimate and reliable ways of knowing? We could argue that all of the ways of knowing has it own flaws such as: perception verse illusion. Reasoning definitely depict a great significance in our process of decision making, however we can only rely on this ways of knowing in a certain extent.
However, reason also has a certain dominance influences on the area of knowledge of art. How do you classified beauty? What are the factors that can determine beauty? Is it even possible to measure beauty? Although many would argue that emotion and language play a more important role on this issue, reasoning also took part in affecting one’s opinion to an artwork. It is because reason is such a broad topic, one of its benefits to be become more objective and to accept other’s opinions. This could further elaborate what you personally think while incorporating what the others think. This widens your point of view and perspectives towards the same incident. The weakness of reasoning in arts are that there are no specific measurements to measure beauty and everyone’s perspective alter from one to another. Some believed that the golden ratio is the definition of beauty but some doesn’t not. Golden ratio is believed to be the standard of aesthetically pleasing as a result, many people treated it as the definition of beauty. A German physicicst conducted a experiment in the 1860s and he tried to justify whether golden ratio is the definition of true beauty. “His experience is simple: a person needs to choose the most pleasing rectangle among ten rectangles that are placed in front of him, and all have different ratios of length to width. The result shows that 76% of all choices are the three rectangles having ratio of 1.75, 1.62, and 1.50, which are really close to the value of pie (approximately 1.618).” (The Beauty of the Golden Ratio) However, a lot of physicist have conducted the experiment again, the outcome of the result are inaccurate and different comparing to this one. This above example could illustrate the inaccurate of reasoning in the area of knowledge of art. Even though the most persuasive ratio have flaws as a result, the way of knowing of reason is not perfect. Reasoning does have its strength and weakness the area of arts. However, I believed that the weaknesses outstrip the strength in the art aspects.
Furthermore, to have a better knowledge of the strength and weakness of reasoning, we can compare reason to another way of knowing which is perception. Rationalism is the beliefs or theory that should be based on reasoning instead of emotional feelings.(Rationalism. 2012, June 3) However, Empiricists would argue that theory of knowledge should be based on sensory experiences. (Empiricism. 2012, May 30) These two antithetical concepts allows us to draw the difference between reason and perception. In this case, reason consider the factual evidence while empiricist only consider the knowledge base on their sensory experiences. One sensory experience might be different because of pass experiences, however, rationalist rely on reasoning and factual evidences. These proofs will eventually increase our reliability and validity of the event. As we can see from the above illustration, we can tell that reasoning consider a wider range of supportive evidence rather than perception’s sensory experience. Hence, we could say that reason as a way of knowing are more trust worthy than perception.
In conclusion, reason as a way of knowing have a certain extent of reliability however, it still has it own flaws. The strengths and weaknesses could be illustrated from the above examples: the comparison between perception (Empiricism) and reason (Rationalism) and the example of reasoning art and math spectrum. I believed that strengths and weakness of reasons are almost equally the same and it’s extremely difficult to draw the line between which has more strengths or weaknesses.
by
gordon551 (student)
