Please join us on Tuesday, October 14 at 5 pm for “Evaluative Logic: How to Objectively Evaluate Anything” with Rod Adams.

Abstract: Our self-governance requires that we learn with and from each other; and we can do such learning only by disagreeing productively. Disagreements about what is the case are handled effectively by empirical science, with natural science showing impressive results for four hundred years. But our self-governance also requires evaluations. I propose Evaluative Logic as a tool for guiding our disagreements about evaluative issues toward correct answers. The tool combines the instrumental principle, the collaborative principle, and the Laws of Thought of classical logic as supplemented with three principles that allow inclusion of civil life content. There are strong criticisms against the possibility of productive disagreement about evaluative issues. I will address those criticisms after first demonstrating and discussing use of the tool.

Rod Adams teaches logic and critical thinking in the CSU Philosophy Department.