The following will help us maintain intellectual honesty.
Note; there is no hierarchy as each is important.
- Be sceptical and question the posed theories, arguments and/or claims. Avoid attacking collectives-individuals and their characters _ Ad hominem (Latin for "to the man" or "to the person", short for “argumentum ad hominem“, a logical fallacy).
- Avoid misinterpretation, distortion or gross representation of an idea, theory, position or argument presented. Allow the known persons to position themselves _ Straw Man Fallacy.
- Do not assert that because there is no evidence to suggest otherwise that something is therefore true or false. Ignorance is not substantiated _ Ad Ignorantiam (Latin: argumentum ad ignorant am, where ignorance represents "a lack of contrary evidence", a fallacy in informal logic.
- Statistics are a helpful source but you must always consider all of the variables. Ensure the data available represents the whole as sufficient evidence or identify otherwise. Avoid the informal fallacy _ Hasty Generalisation.
- Never assume something to be true, the foundation of any premise must always be based on observable evidence _ Begging the Question.
- Never claim or assume that because something occurred before, it must be the cause. There will be a reason but not necessarily a connection _ Post Hoc cause.
- Do not reduce an argument down to 2 possibilities. It is not “black and white”, there may be a “grey area” _ False Dichotomy.
- Do not place the burden of proof onto the individual who is questioning your conclusion/claim. You must provide the evidence _ Burden of Proof Reversal.
- Avoid assumption that “a” follows “b” when it has no evident logical connection _ Non sequitur.
- Be aware that we cannot be truly certain of anything. Be careful to not confuse with measurable/observable Scientific truths. As we make new discoveries and comprehend more of the physical world in greater detail, each theory does not necessarily work at each scale.
- Compose your ideas carefully and articulate with clarity but avoid disingenuous rhetoric. Let the content be the conclusive factor not the dexterity of the language itself.
- Consider the subject matter carefully with in-depth research. Mindful that this is not over thinking but a prudent method of avoiding gross simplification.
a scenario: architects design the human built environment and ergonomics thereof based on observations of how people interact and navigate through space. Often the brief is informed by statistics and experience. Caveat; this is not always true due to various reasons; project complexity, requirements, funding, value engineering etc. It is prudent and professional to avoid preconceived notions whilst expectations could be a useful starting point the risks must be acknowledged.
Consider this nutritional thought; the truth *is* regardless of what we think or believe.
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