Question Home

Position:Home>Philosophy> Two + two = five?


Question: Two + two = five!?
If everybody believes in it, does that make it true!?Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
If everybody says you have only one hand can you become one handed person!. You can prove it by slapping on their face!.

Any false belief will be slapped by Truth one day!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

It depends on what you're talking about!.

Things like mathematics are based on a priori knowledge!. It means what it means because we have defined it that way!. If in another world they had defined their terms such that "2+2=5", then yes, that would be true, however those terms would not mean the same for them as they do with us!. For example, their "5" might be the same as our "4" or their "+" might mean "add what comes before and after the + to 1"!.

On the other hand, statements about reality are not true simply because everyone believes them!. Everyone once believed that the Earth stood still, and the Sun, Moon, and stars rotated around us!. However, they were all wrong!. Arguing that something is true because most people believe it is true is a logical fallacy known as "argumentum ad populum"!. Reality is what reality is, regardless of the number of people who believe it!.

However, that does not mean that a scientific consensus should be ignored, because that is not the same argument!. If the argument is that scientists who study the claim being discussed generally agree that the claim is true or false after extensive study and debate, then that shows that there is probably good evidence for or against that claim!. It's not proof itself, but it's certainly a good indicator of the truth!.

Hope that helps!Www@QuestionHome@Com

No because as a mathematical equation it would be readily disproved!. It may be viable by the dismissal of operatives or of applied formulae but is unworkable in actuality!.

An individual instance than a given statute or enduring all encompassing rule and measure!.

If it serves the prevailing interest and sustains the power of the said forces, correct marketing strategies can sell almost anything to the public!.!.!.

But it does not!. As a mathematicla equation it does not stand!. Individually the onus is on you to appropriate i for your cause whatever that agenda may be!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

This reminds me of an amusing story by a Russian philosopher!.

He wrote: All prayers can be reduced to one basic concept, 'Please God, make 2+2=5"Www@QuestionHome@Com

only because 10 000 people believe the same thing, doesn't make it a truth!.!.!. nope, but unfortunately some things are handled like this (social belief systems)Www@QuestionHome@Com

NO!.
It does not make it true however much you would like to twist it!.
The truth will always remain four!. This is manipulation!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

yes because it is convection u wont have 5 cows when u count 2 cows and 2 cows but if u call 4 as 5 it is possinleWww@QuestionHome@Com

the truth which is not believed by many!.!.!.sarcastic comment !.Www@QuestionHome@Com

duh!?!.!.!.!. wuTz wIth tHat!?!?Www@QuestionHome@Com

what an interest rateWww@QuestionHome@Com