Lecture III

pp. 35-41

in: Leonard Nelson, A theory of philosophical fallacies, Berlin, Springer, 2016

Abstract

Although logical reasoning is necessary for finding the truth among opposing philosophies, it is possible to overestimate its importance. This happens when consistency in a philosophical system is wrongly considered to be its main or even only criterion. A great philosopher will always be prepared to sacrifice a principle which leads to a falsehood and thus to allow his system to become inconsistent. This is illustrated with examples drawn from ethics (Bentham and Mill) and the philosophy of science (Poincaré and Le Roy).