Reasoning Tools

What Is Confirmation Bias, and How Does It Mislead Us?

Confirmation bias is the tendency to favour information that supports what we already believe and to overlook, reject or reinterpret conflicting evidence.

How Much Evidence Should a Claim Require?

Not every claim needs the same amount of evidence. Everyday low-risk claims may reasonably be accepted provisionally, while extraordinary, consequential or highly specific claims require stronger and more independent support.

Why Evidence Matters More Than Authority

Many people accept claims because they come from a priest, scripture, politician, expert, parent, institution, tradition or majority. Authority can sometimes be useful, but authority by itself does not make a claim true.

Bertrand Russell

Philosopher · 1872–1970 · Logic, philosophy, scepticism, public ethics

Bertrand Russell is important to Truth By Reason because he joined logic, scepticism, anti-dogmatism and public moral concern.

David Hume

Philosopher · 1711–1776 · Philosophy, scepticism, empiricism

David Hume is important to Truth By Reason because he challenged weak claims about miracles, causation, religion and certainty through sceptical and empirical reasoning.

Socrates

Philosopher · c. 470–399 BCE · Philosophy, questioning, ethics

Socrates is important to Truth By Reason because he represents disciplined questioning, the examination of assumptions, and the idea that untested beliefs may be dangerous.

Can something be true but unproven?

Yes. A claim can be true even before humans prove it. But until there is enough evidence, we should not treat it as established knowledge.

What is reality?

Reality is what exists or is true whether or not we want it to be so. But humans also experience personal, social, symbolic and imagined realities that must be carefully distinguished.

What is the difference between evidence and proof?

Evidence supports or weakens a claim. Proof is a stronger standard where the evidence is sufficient to justify accepting the claim as established for a given purpose.

Why Definitions Matter Before Arguing

Many arguments fail because people use the same word in different ways. Truth By Reason needs careful definitions before conclusions.

Why Truth By Reason Separates Findings from Implications

Findings and Implications are separated so that the site does not confuse what appears true with what may follow if it is true.

Why Truth By Reason Uses Probability Rather Than False Certainty

Truth By Reason uses confidence and probability because many important claims are not honestly handled by pretending everything is either absolutely certain or completely unknowable.