Why or why not?
Please elaborate.
You guys are making some good points. But it’s my thought that merely the act of comparing things assumes there is a relation between them.
In short, No. In comparing two or more people, objects, objectives or courses of action, we can never have all of the facts or know that the presumed facts that we do have are accurate.
Since making a comparison necessarily entails evaluating similar or counterpart elements, we must assume that what we see or think we know about each is an accurate approximation.
When we decide to fly to Miami and compare several flight options, we assume that all airlines flying from Edmonton to Miami will, in fact, get us there in one piece. We must assume that the seats are at least acceptably comfortable and that no goats or chickens will be permitted in the flight cabin. Since we cannot with certainty guarantee these facts in the time available, we make the assumptions and carry on to compare fares and flight times so that we are able to make a timely decision.
In general, the more time we have available to us before making a comparison, the fewer assumptions we must make. But in the end, we must always make some assumptions because variables are infinite while time is finite.
The fact is, we don’t know what the truth is unless we ask.
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Well I can take two oranges and slide them next to each other and see what is what. But if I am deciding which one TASTES better then I have entered the realm of assumptions. Most comparisons are rife with the stuff, but a visual examination of two like objects need not be.
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Comparisons, with or without assumptions, contain our biases.
When comparing item A and item B, what we observe is balanced by what we choose to ignore.
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No. Assumptions must always exist. We must assume that all conditions that are not stated in the premise of the comparison are equal.
For example, saying one car is faster than another would require the assumption that your referring to equal road and weather conditions. "Cause my ’64 baja bug will drop a Ferrari in an off-road race any day of the week.
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In short, No. In comparing two or more people, objects, objectives or courses of action, we can never have all of the facts or know that the presumed facts that we do have are accurate.
Since making a comparison necessarily entails evaluating similar or counterpart elements, we must assume that what we see or think we know about each is an accurate approximation.
When we decide to fly to Miami and compare several flight options, we assume that all airlines flying from Edmonton to Miami will, in fact, get us there in one piece. We must assume that the seats are at least acceptably comfortable and that no goats or chickens will be permitted in the flight cabin. Since we cannot with certainty guarantee these facts in the time available, we make the assumptions and carry on to compare fares and flight times so that we are able to make a timely decision.
In general, the more time we have available to us before making a comparison, the fewer assumptions we must make. But in the end, we must always make some assumptions because variables are infinite while time is finite.
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Well, I know we can’t make comparisons without making judgments, and often, a judgment is nothing more than an assumption.
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What is this "We" you speak of?
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