How much knowledge is based in aesthetic virtues like 'elegance'? I know that they feature in e.g. inference to the best explanation. What about 'intuition'? When is it ever the deciding factor in what to believe?
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i also have the related question of what the phrase "you should believe" means, but i don't know how best to phrase that question – Jan 01 '24 at 10:56
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You might like this answer, which fits aesthetics into a wider picture of How is Society shaped?
The physicist who developed the theory of the Strong Nuclear Force which governs atomic nuclei said:
“What is especially striking and remarkable is that in fundamental physics a beautiful or elegant theory is more likely to be right than a theory that is inelegant.” ― Murray Gell-Mann
It's not the only view though.
“When asked to judge the promise of a newly invented but untested theory, physicist draw on the concepts of naturalness simplicity or elegance and beauty. These hidden rules are ubiquitous in the foundations of physics. They are invaluable. And in utter conflic with the scientific mandate of objectivity.” ― Sabine Hossenfelder, Lost in Math: How Beauty Leads Physics Astray
Aesthetics can guide, be a source of heuristics, but not choose for us, I would say.
CriglCragl
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so you go with the pretty belief but only know when there is evidence etc.? what, if not knowledge, do you call that? – Jan 01 '24 at 11:08