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634 sats \ 2 replies \ @Voldemort 18 Mar \ on: What is the alternative to being “right”? alter_native

Studying math was the most humbling experience in this regard. You are either right or wrong. Though sometimes you can be right and it is not as beautiful as it ought to be (actually got marked down points on my real analysis qualifier for this and if you can't tell I am still bitter). Kidding aside, you start get used to being wrong so its effect lessens. What's more, you start to enjoy testing things to see why it is wrong. I can't tell you how many times I had students ask me "what if we do this" in differential equations. My answer was always the same - let's try it. Even if I knew it would be wrong it was always a valuable learning experience.

In life, just like in math, being wrong, or making the less optimal decision, offers valuable insights. The person who makes the less optimal decision first learns why it didn't work, and can be more confident in future decisions. The person who got it right the first time might not know that the other solution would have been less optimal. This can lead to doubt and regret.

So:

what happens when we give up the need to be right?

Less anxiety and stress. More learning. Deeper conversations. Less anger.

Is there such a thing as right and wrong?

Yes. Though being wrong in hindsight doesn't imply you were wrong with the information you had at the time. As a stupid example, if the person who checks out behind you buys the winning lottery ticket, not buying the ticket was still the correct decision at the time the decision was made.

Here is my question - does it matter? Does it matter if we know there is right or wrong? Even if there is a right and wrong - Godel's incompleteness theorem proves there will be things that are unprovable in any system of logic with axioms that can be listed via an algorithm.

Can we really save anyone?

If the person you are trying to save is open to being saved.

And to give up being “right”, does not mean to be “wrong”. Maybe, it can just mean every perspective is valid.

I think this is a cop-out. It is effectively saying 'if I have to accept that I am not always right then I am going to avoid being wrong by saying there is no right or wrong.'
You could convince me I am wrong, though.

202 sats \ 0 replies \ @Undisciplined 19 Mar

I second your perspective about the humbling power of really studying math. If you're wrong, no amount of rhetorical flourishes or shifting the goalposts will convince anyone that you aren't wrong.

20 sats \ 0 replies \ @DesertDave OP 18 Mar

Wow. Thank you for your thoughtful and insightful reply.

I always liked math as a kid because I thought I knew there was one right answer. I liked spelling too for the same reason. I believed the teacher couldn't subjectively judge my work. Of course that was middle school and highschool. I'm basic when it comes to math.

I feel that right and wrong are words we came up with. Everyone has a different perspective and experience, which informs what they believe to be right or wrong. There is always an exception to a rule and depending on our version of the events, or our interpretation of the story, we may or may not see the exception. We seem to have social contracts and common beliefs that are very natural. Be kind to each other. I feel I act this way because it is natural for me. Not because it is right. And who is to be the ultimate decider of what is right and wrong assuming there is "a right" and "a wrong".