Why being too logical will lead to failing.

In summary, the statement "The moon has no atmosphere because we never see any clouds on the moon" is logically equivalent to "We know the moon has no atmosphere because we never see any clouds on the moon." However, this statement is false because we could still fail to see clouds even if there was an atmosphere present. In the context of this conversation, the statement is meant to be a test of truth or falsehood, and should be evaluated as such.
  • #1
1MileCrash
1,342
41
True or False:

"The moon has no atmosphere because we never see any clouds on the moon."


Apparently, "The moon has no atmosphere because we never see any clouds" and "We never see any clouds on the moon because it has no atmosphere" are logically equivalent statements to the layman astronomy teacher.

I had no idea that humans inability to see clouds on the moon caused it not to have an atmosphere. That is quite frankly amazing.
 
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  • #2
The teacher means "We know the moon has no atmosphere because we never see any clouds on the moon." It is a false statement because we could fail to see clouds even if there was an atmosphere.
 
  • #3
Jimmy Snyder said:
The teacher means "We know the moon has no atmosphere because we never see any clouds on the moon."

Math majors are taught to "say what they mean and mean what they say" (in those precise words) at my university. It is ingrained in me. If a statement is false, it is false, I don't consider the intention of the writer of the statement, especially if the statement is meant to be a test of truth or falsehood in the first place.

It is a false statement because we could fail to see clouds even if there was an atmosphere.

I would have to agree, considering the apparent intent of the statement.
 
Question 1:

Why is being too logical seen as a potential cause of failure?

Being too logical can lead to failure because it can hinder creativity and innovation. In many cases, success requires thinking outside of the box and taking risks, which may not align with a strictly logical approach.

Question 2:

Can being too logical limit problem-solving abilities?

Yes, being too logical can limit problem-solving abilities because it often involves following a predetermined set of rules and solutions. This can prevent individuals from considering alternative approaches that may be more effective.

Question 3:

What role does emotion play in decision-making and how does it relate to being too logical?

Emotion plays a significant role in decision-making, and being too logical can lead to ignoring or suppressing emotions. However, emotions can provide valuable insights and intuition that may be crucial in making successful decisions.

Question 4:

Do people who are highly logical have a harder time adapting to change?

Yes, individuals who are highly logical may struggle with adapting to change because they may have difficulty accepting new information that contradicts their established beliefs or processes.

Question 5:

Can being too logical lead to tunnel vision and narrow-mindedness?

Yes, being too logical can lead to tunnel vision and narrow-mindedness because it often involves following a strict set of rules or processes. This can prevent individuals from considering different perspectives and alternative solutions.

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