Position:Home>Philosophy> How can we be sure that axioms are true?

In as far as “self-evident” means “to be held without proof or explanation,” axioms are not “self-evident!.” Something “self-evident” would be something that a person thinks is true, but without any idea about how he came to hold the idea!. It’s a fact that seems “obvious!.” Axioms shouldn't be self-evident in this sense!. An axiom is a statement that is logically undeniable!. A denial involves the term to be true; in short, a denial of an axiom is itself contradiction!.

1 – A is A!. This is usually called the “Law of Identity!.” Whatever something is, it is itself!. It exists in a specific way!.

Proof of axiom: To say that “A is not A” requires that object to be itself and not itself at the same time; that it is an “A” is first asserted, then denied!. It’s a contradiction!.

2 – Existence exists!. What this means is that there are things that exist, and they are real!.

Proof of axiom: To say that “existence doesn’t exist” is to hold an idea!. The idea is itself existent!. Thus, it’s like the statement, “This sentence is false!.” It’s a contradiction!. Furthermore, to speak this is acknowledging that a speaker exists; to say it to another is to acknowledge that others exist!. Every thought and action is implicit in this axiom!.

3 – Consciousness is conscious!. Consciousness is an awareness of reality!. It is not a state in itself, but a process of perceiving the world, of identifying what you are seeing!. Clearly, this is a second step: to have something to perceive, to have something to identify, requires that you be aware of that thing!. You can become aware of your awareness, but only after it exists (that is, you have nothing to be aware of before you have awareness)!. You initially must be aware of something else!.

Proof of axiom: “Consciousness is not conscious” would require that somebody would have awareness of nothing!. It’s like talking about an object existing without a color!. If there is nothing you’re aware of, you aren’t talking about awareness!. If consciousness is the process of awareness of reality, and conscious is awareness itself, then the statement reads: “Awareness of reality is not awareness!.” It’s a contradiction!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

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I don't think that there is any reason to suppose that they are infallible!. Take, for example, the saying: "Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely!." People go about muttering it as though it were an indisputable fact -- but there are such things as good and responsible leaders (if one looks hard enough), so to assume that everyone in a position of power must be corrupt is naive!.

Jane Austen in her ironic way poked fun at the whole notion of axioms in the opening lines of her novel "Pride and Prejudice"!. “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife”Www@QuestionHome@Com

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