eh, it's more finding mismatches Input streams in and is compared to expectations. If expectations are in the range of acceptable, nothing changes or is noticed. It's only when the pattern is novel and everything else is ruled out, whatever is left over is used to generate new patterns. == I can describe the process without utilizing a word of logic and instead describe it via analogies and metaphors. Or I can describe the process computationally. I can say, "and thus, the process is: METAPHOR!" or I can say, "and thus, the process is MATHEMATICAL!" or I can say, "and thus, the process is...[ insert something else ]". Can you see where I'm getting at? == Just give 'em a documentary and their conspiracy flags rise up. It's easy to herd people with a documentary produced in such a way to force you to an 'irrefutable conclusion". Logic lovers. Easily manipulated. == All one has to do is put forth evidence after evidence in a chain of logic, each bit of evidence hard to refute by itself, chain it together properly and you've got it. No gullibility required. All it required is someone who thinks in a "thought experiment" way. They're wrapped up in a closed-world scenario and don't see anything outside of that box. I didn't take film classes at Hampshire College (same place Ken Burns came from) but they were BIG on the how-tos on producing documentaries and my friends who took the classes would tell me that people who are intelligent are the easiest to manipulate. They'd explain how they use the non-word things to do it: the music, the mood, the lighting, the way of talking, how the clips are put together, etc. == You can call it a fallacy if you like, Peter. To me, it's an observation of personalities. I've met thousands of people online of all different types of personalities and I can see how each type of person could be manipulated. I know my own weaknesses as well and guard against them. Nothing to do with fallacies but if you wish to think it those terms and consider it an adequate rejection of my idea, you can. But, you're throwing out valuable information in the process. == You're avoiding it. Is all logic discernible? Let's say logic is the foundation of all things. It's the Universe. It's the basis of everything and all, everywhere from all the past to the future, forevermore Amen. Is all logic discernible? == It also has religious undertones to it. I can replace the word Logic with the word God and the sentence still works. That's an issue. == It's a SYSTEM with internal consistency upon which other systems can be built. It's PRAGMATIC and useful, but is it everything? That's giving it a god-status. == Critical thinking - it's a system built by humans that is very useful for many things. Is it a more practical god than the one used by religions? Sure. But I'd rather see it remain a TOOL and not given a god-like status. == It's useful for what it's useful for. It's also used to produce incorrect knowledge. It's also used for manipulation of people. It's also used as a weapon. It's a tool. It's not magic. == You're talking more along the lines of etiquette. "This is the proper use of the logic you have". Its table manners. Wipe your nose after you blow. == Yes, where to place the knife and fork alongside the plate so the society ladies won't talk about us when they leave. It's etiquette. Sam Harris is Miss Manners of Logic. == *I* find analogy and metaphor far more persuasive in rhetoric than logic ==