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Epistemology Branch Guide
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Epistemology — Core Concepts
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What is Epistemology?
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Core & Deep Rationality
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Prompt 1: Prior to an examination of presuppositions, elaborate on the notion of inductive density in which our inductive experience regularly encounters invariance in phenomena that legitimately strengthen our induction-based confidence for subsequent regularity. This confidence trajectory through continued regularity approaches, in an asymptotic way, absolute confidence, but is prevented from ever reaching absolute confidence by the intrinsically subjective nature of human minds.
Inductive density explains why confidence can grow without reaching certainty
Keep Inductive Density and the Limits of Confidence in the same frame. Each piece is doing a different job, and the page gets muddy if the reader cannot say what is being identified, what is being tested, and what would change if one piece disappeared.
In plain terms: The concept of inductive density refers to the degree or frequency with which our inductive reasoning processes—those based on observations and experiences—encounter regularity or consistency in the phenomena we observe.
Keep This confidence trajectory through continued regularity approaches, in an asymptotic, Inductive Density and the Limits of Confidence, and Prior to an examination of presuppositions, elaborate on the notion in the same frame. That is what shows what the page is claiming, where it gets tested, and what would have to change if the claim is right. If those distinctions blur together, the reader loses track of what is actually being claimed.
A quick way to test the page is to imagine an ordinary disagreement in which Presuppositions matters. What would a careful reader now say, test, or withhold because Inductive Density and the Limits of Confidence and Presuppositions has been made clearer? If the page cannot answer that, it still needs more contact with life.
The first move should give the reader something firm to hold. Then the later prompts can deepen the issue instead of circling it.
A fair pushback is that ordinary life cannot wait for perfect evidence. That is true, but it does not give favored beliefs a free pass. The section should show how acting under uncertainty differs from excusing weak support.
At the heart of inductive reasoning lies our ability to observe patterns and regularities in the world around us. For instance, observing that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west on a daily basis forms a pattern that we expect will continue. This expectation is based on our accumulated experiences and observations, which guide our predictions about future events.
The invariance in phenomena refers to the consistency and predictability of certain patterns over time. When we regularly encounter such invariance, it reinforces our confidence in the reliability of these patterns. This process is a fundamental aspect of learning and understanding the natural world, where repeated observations of a consistent pattern (like the change of seasons) solidify our expectation that the pattern will persist.
Each time we observe a regularity or pattern holding true, our confidence in the predictability of this pattern strengthens. This is because each instance serves as further evidence that our understanding is correct. In a way, every confirmation of a pattern or regularity serves to increase the ‘density’ of our inductive experiences, making our foundation for inductive reasoning more robust.
The concept of approaching absolute confidence in an asymptotic manner means that while our confidence in the predictability of certain phenomena can grow increasingly strong, it never reaches 100% certainty. This is due to the asymptotic nature of our learning curve; we can get infinitely close to being absolutely confident, but there always remains a margin for error or unpredictability. This reflects the open-ended nature of scientific inquiry, where even the most well-established theories are subject to revision in light of new evidence.
The intrinsic subjectivity of human minds introduces a fundamental limitation to achieving absolute confidence. Our perceptions, experiences, biases, and cognitive capacities all influence how we interpret and understand the world. This subjectivity means that our confidence in the regularity and predictability of phenomena is always tempered by our acknowledgment of our own limitations in perception and understanding.
Induction is the process of drawing general conclusions from specific observations. Invariance refers to the repeated observation of a phenomenon under varying circumstances. High inductive density occurs when we encounter consistent regularities across many observations.
As inductive density increases, our confidence in the observed regularity strengthens. Each new observation that confirms the pattern adds weight to the idea that the pattern will hold true in the future.
The idea of an asymptotic approach to absolute confidence is interesting. It suggests that with enough confirming data, our confidence gets very close to absolute certainty, but never quite reaches it.
The human mind’s inherent subjectivity is a key limitation. Even with overwhelming data, some may hold onto skepticism due to personal biases or a lack of complete understanding of the underlying mechanisms.
A single counter-example, a case where the pattern breaks down, can significantly weaken inductive confidence. The more we understand the reasons behind the counter-example, the less it may impact our overall belief.
Our observations are always limited by our senses and instruments. There could be hidden variables or unknown factors influencing the phenomenon that we haven’t accounted for.
High inductive density can lead to overconfidence in our predictions. It’s crucial to remember that induction is not deduction, and there’s always a chance that the future might violate our expectations.
- Inductive Density and the Limits of Confidence: The concept of inductive density refers to the richness and consistency of our inductive experiences.
- Belief calibration: This confidence trajectory through continued regularity approaches, in an asymptotic concerns how strongly the available evidence warrants belief, disbelief, or suspension of judgment.
- Evidence standard: Support, counterevidence, and merely persuasive appearances have to be kept distinct.
- Error pressure: Overconfidence, underconfidence, and ambiguous testimony each distort the conclusion in different ways.
- Revision path: A responsible answer names the kind of new information that would rationally change confidence.
Prompt 2: It appears to me that inductive density fully depicts why humans can never claim to have full certainty. There is nothing that would legitimately ground full certainty, or what is sometimes referred to as a presupposition. Is this reasoning solid?
The real issue is what The Role of Inductive Density in Understanding Certainty changes once it becomes precise.
Keep The Role of Inductive Density in Understanding Certainty and Acknowledgment of Subjectivity and Epistemological Humility in the same frame. Each piece is doing a different job, and the page gets muddy if the reader cannot say what is being identified, what is being tested, and what would change if one piece disappeared.
In plain terms: Your reasoning underscores a critical insight into the nature of human knowledge and the limitations of inductive reasoning.
Keep The Role of Inductive Density in Understanding Certainty distinct from Acknowledgment of Subjectivity and Epistemological Humility. They are not interchangeable bits of vocabulary; they point the reader toward different judgments, objections, or next steps.
A quick way to test the page is to imagine an ordinary disagreement in which Presuppositions matters. What would a careful reader now say, test, or withhold because The Role of Inductive Density in Understanding Certainty and Acknowledgment of Subjectivity and Epistemological Humility has been made clearer? If the page cannot answer that, it still needs more contact with life.
This middle step prepares self-evident. It keeps the earlier pressure alive while turning the reader toward the next issue that has to be faced.
A fair pushback is that ordinary life cannot wait for perfect evidence. That is true, but it does not give favored beliefs a free pass. The section should show how acting under uncertainty differs from excusing weak support.
The deeper issue in Presuppositions is usually calibration, not a melodrama between certainty and skepticism. That turns the central distinction into a question about the right degree of confidence before it hardens into a slogan.
This section should give the reader a usable epistemic lever: what would support the central claim, what would count against it, and what would make suspension of judgment more rational than either assent or denial. The point is not to make Presuppositions tidy; it is to help the reader notice the difference between having a belief, having a reason, and having enough reason.
Inductive reasoning builds on empirical observation and the identification of patterns and regularities in the natural world. While this method is powerful for developing hypotheses and theories, it inherently relies on the assumption that future occurrences will mirror past ones. This assumption, however robust based on historical data, cannot guarantee certainty because it is always possible, however unlikely, that future observations might deviate from past trends.
Certainty, especially in the context of empirical or inductive knowledge, refers to the complete absence of doubt about the validity or truth of a proposition. However, since inductive reasoning is predicated on the extrapolation from specific instances to general principles, it is always susceptible to revision or challenge by new evidence. This intrinsic vulnerability means that what we often consider as presuppositions (basic beliefs taken for granted without independent verification) cannot be claimed with absolute certainty. Every presupposition based on inductive reasoning carries the possibility, however remote, of being disproven or modified.
Induction inherently deals with probabilities. No matter how high the inductive density, there’s always a tiny chance the pattern could break down in the future. This inherent probabilistic nature prevents absolute certainty.
We can never be sure we’ve considered all relevant factors influencing a phenomenon. There might be unknown variables not yet discovered that could overturn our current understanding.
Some argue that certain “presuppositions” or foundational axioms within a specific field are held with absolute certainty. These are often self-evident truths or basic principles within a system of thought (e.g., things that exist must occupy space in mathematics).
When dealing with logic and mathematics, deductions based on established axioms can provide absolute certainty within the defined system. However, these systems rely on previously established truths, and the certainty ultimately rests on the underlying assumptions.
- The Role of Inductive Density in Understanding Certainty: The concept of inductive density illustrates how our confidence in the reliability and predictability of patterns increases with repeated observation of these patterns.
- Acknowledgment of Subjectivity and Epistemological Humility: Recognizing the intrinsic subjectivity of human cognition and the limitations of our knowledge systems encourages epistemological humility.
- Borderline case: The reader should be able to say what would make the claim merely plausible rather than justified.
- Objection test: A strong section names the best reason a careful critic would withhold assent.
- Calibration test: The answer should distinguish certainty, high confidence, tentative belief, and responsible agnosticism.
Prompt 3: To address claims of “self-evident” presuppositional knowledge, I would posit that beliefs that exceed the degree of inductive regularity available to the mind of the subject are irrational. And to say the beliefs warrant full certainty is logically incoherent. Interestingly, that also include logic since our confidence in logic also accrues to merely a high inductive density rather than to full certainty. Is this argument solid?
The real issue is what Self-evident changes once it becomes precise.
The live issue is Self-evident. This is where Presuppositions starts to guide judgment instead of merely sounding important.
In plain terms: The argument introduces a compelling perspective on the nature of knowledge, especially regarding claims of “self-evident” presuppositional knowledge and the rationality of beliefs that claim full certainty.
Keep Self-evident, Prior to an examination of presuppositions, elaborate on the notion, and Inductive Density and the Limits of Confidence in the same frame. That is what shows what the page is claiming, where it gets tested, and what would have to change if the claim is right. If those distinctions blur together, the reader loses track of what is actually being claimed.
A quick way to test the page is to imagine an ordinary disagreement in which self-evident matters. What would a careful reader now say, test, or withhold because Self-evident and Presuppositions has been made clearer? If the page cannot answer that, it still needs more contact with life.
This middle step keeps the thread moving. It carries the pressure already on the table toward the next distinction instead of letting the page break into separate mini-essays.
A fair pushback is that ordinary life cannot wait for perfect evidence. That is true, but it does not give favored beliefs a free pass. The section should show how acting under uncertainty differs from excusing weak support.
The deeper issue in Presuppositions is usually calibration, not a melodrama between certainty and skepticism. That turns self-evident into a question about the right degree of confidence before it hardens into a slogan.
This section should give the reader a usable epistemic lever: what would support the central claim, what would count against it, and what would make suspension of judgment more rational than either assent or denial. The point is not to make Presuppositions tidy; it is to help the reader notice the difference between having a belief, having a reason, and having enough reason.
For a companion resource on calibration, credence, and structured rational judgment, see Credencing.com.
You suggest that beliefs exceeding the degree of inductive regularity accessible to an individual’s mind are irrational. This stance emphasizes the importance of empirical evidence and observed regularities in forming rational beliefs. Since rationality often involves aligning one’s beliefs with the available evidence, beliefs that significantly outstrip this evidence base can indeed be considered irrational or at least unsupported by the evidence at hand.
Claiming full certainty for beliefs, especially when such claims transcend the empirical evidence available, is argued to be logically incoherent. This assertion rests on the understanding that human knowledge, being fundamentally inductive and derived from finite experiences, cannot logically guarantee absolute certainty about anything. This stance aligns with the philosophical acknowledgment of fallibilism—the idea that all claims to knowledge could, in principle, be mistaken.
An interesting turn in your argument is the inclusion of logic itself as a system that, while foundational to rational discourse and thought, also accrues confidence through high inductive density rather than achieving full certainty. This notion suggests that our trust in logical principles stems from their consistent utility in structuring thought and argumentation rather than from an incontrovertible certainty about their universal validity. This perspective can be seen as an extension of the critique of foundationalism, which seeks certain, unassailable grounds for knowledge.
Your argument is philosophically rigorous and engages with deep epistemological questions about the nature of knowledge, belief, and certainty. By challenging the concept of full certainty, even in the domain of logic, you’re inviting a reevaluation of how we conceive the foundations of knowledge and rationality. The argument is solid in its coherence and in highlighting the limitations inherent in human knowledge systems. It calls for a humble and reflective approach to claims of certainty and the justifications for our beliefs.
- Belief and knowledge: The epistemic pressure is how evidence, uncertainty, and responsible confidence interact before the reader accepts or rejects the claim.
- Evidence and justification: The epistemic pressure is how evidence, uncertainty, and responsible confidence interact before the reader accepts or rejects the claim.
- Credence and updating: The epistemic pressure is how evidence, uncertainty, and responsible confidence interact before the reader accepts or rejects the claim.
- Skepticism without paralysis: The epistemic pressure is how evidence, uncertainty, and responsible confidence interact before the reader accepts or rejects the claim.
- Borderline case: The reader should be able to say what would make self-evident merely plausible rather than justified.
Prompt 4: But axioms themselves cannot escape their dependence on induction. Axioms held by human minds have been acquired inductively. Right?
The real issue is what But axioms themselves cannot escape their dependence on induction changes once it becomes precise.
The live issue is But axioms themselves cannot escape their dependence on induction. This is where Presuppositions starts to guide judgment instead of merely sounding important.
In plain terms: The point touches on a nuanced debate within epistemology and the philosophy of logic about the nature and justification of axioms.
Keep But axioms themselves cannot escape their dependence on induction, Prior to an examination of presuppositions, elaborate on the notion, and Inductive Density and the Limits of Confidence in the same frame. That is what shows what the page is claiming, where it gets tested, and what would have to change if the claim is right. If those distinctions blur together, the reader loses track of what is actually being claimed.
A quick way to test the page is to imagine an ordinary disagreement in which Presuppositions matters. What would a careful reader now say, test, or withhold because Presuppositions and Presuppositions has been made clearer? If the page cannot answer that, it still needs more contact with life.
This middle step carries forward self-evident. It shows what that earlier distinction changes before the page asks the reader to carry it farther.
A fair pushback is that ordinary life cannot wait for perfect evidence. That is true, but it does not give favored beliefs a free pass. The section should show how acting under uncertainty differs from excusing weak support.
One honest test after reading is whether the reader can use Presuppositions to sort a live borderline case or answer a serious objection about Presuppositions. The answer should leave the reader with a concrete test, contrast, or objection to carry into the next case. That keeps the page tied to what would make a belief worth holding, revising, or abandoning rather than leaving it as a detached summary.
Axioms are typically understood as foundational principles or statements that are accepted without proof within a particular logical system or mathematical framework. They serve as the starting points from which theorems and further knowledge within that system are derived. The acceptance of axioms is often based on their self-evident nature, their necessity for the coherence of the system, or their utility in generating useful and consistent results.
The distinction between inductive and deductive reasoning is crucial here. Deductive reasoning involves deriving specific conclusions from general principles or axioms, ensuring that if the premises (axioms) are true, the conclusions necessarily follow. In contrast, inductive reasoning involves generalizing from specific observations to broader generalizations, which are probabilistic rather than certain.
The claim that axioms held by human minds have been acquired inductively suggests that our acceptance of these foundational principles is based on observed regularities or experiences. This perspective might argue that even our most fundamental logical or mathematical principles have been ‘tested’ against our experiences of the world and have proven consistently reliable, leading to their acceptance as axioms.
However, there are counterarguments to the notion that axioms are inductively acquired: Self-Evidence: Some philosophers and mathematicians argue that certain axioms are self-evident truths that do not require empirical validation. For example, the axiom stating “For any proposition, that proposition is either true or false” (the law of excluded middle) is seen as logically necessary, rather than empirically derived. Conceptual Truths: Others argue that axioms are conceptual truths that stem from the definitions or the very concepts we use, rather than from induction. For instance, the axioms of Euclidean geometry are derived from the definitions of points, lines, and planes. Necessity for Rational Thought: It’s also argued that certain axioms are necessary presuppositions for any rational inquiry, including induction itself. Without these axioms, the very process of reasoning, whether inductive or deductive, would be undermined.
Some philosophers and mathematicians argue that certain axioms are self-evident truths that do not require empirical validation. For example, the axiom stating “For any proposition, that proposition is either true or false” (the law of excluded middle) is seen as logically necessary, rather than empirically derived.
Others argue that axioms are conceptual truths that stem from the definitions or the very concepts we use, rather than from induction. For instance, the axioms of Euclidean geometry are derived from the definitions of points, lines, and planes.
It’s also argued that certain axioms are necessary presuppositions for any rational inquiry, including induction itself. Without these axioms, the very process of reasoning, whether inductive or deductive, would be undermined.
There is a potential middle ground in this debate, acknowledging that while our recognition and formulation of axioms might be influenced by inductive experiences (e.g., noticing consistency in logical principles across various contexts), the justification and acceptance of axioms as foundational might still rely on their perceived necessity, self-evidence, or conceptual coherence.
You posit that beliefs exceeding inductive evidence are irrational. This aligns well with the limitations we discussed earlier. If knowledge is built on experience, then claims that go beyond what we can observe or infer from observation lack a strong foundation.
Claiming full certainty for beliefs based on limited inductive evidence is logically incoherent. As we discussed, even with high density, there’s always a chance the pattern could break down. Absolute certainty contradicts this inherent probabilistic nature of induction.
The point about logic is interesting. While logic itself operates through deduction from axioms, the initial acceptance of those axioms often relies on a high degree of inductive justification. We believe in the principles of logic like non-contradiction because of their universal applicability in our experience.
What might seem self-evident in one culture or time period might not be so in another. Our understanding of the world evolves, and with it, so too could the “self-evident” truths we hold.
Some argue for an intuitive grasp of certain truths beyond pure experience. This is a complex area, and whether intuition provides a reliable source of knowledge is still debated.
- Belief and knowledge: The epistemic pressure is how evidence, uncertainty, and responsible confidence interact before the reader accepts or rejects the claim.
- Evidence and justification: The epistemic pressure is how evidence, uncertainty, and responsible confidence interact before the reader accepts or rejects the claim.
- Credence and updating: The epistemic pressure is how evidence, uncertainty, and responsible confidence interact before the reader accepts or rejects the claim.
- Skepticism without paralysis: The epistemic pressure is how evidence, uncertainty, and responsible confidence interact before the reader accepts or rejects the claim.
- Belief calibration: But axioms themselves cannot escape their dependence on induction concerns how strongly the available evidence warrants belief, disbelief, or suspension of judgment.
Prompt 5: I would submit that even our intuitions deserve only as much confidence as their induction-derived track records justify. We can never claim our intuitions have been adequately tested to an degree that warrants their creation of self-evident presuppositions. Right?
The real issue is what True or False Propositions and Inductive Confidence changes once it becomes precise.
Keep True or False Propositions and Inductive Confidence and Sub-Absolute Asymptotic Approximation of Full Certainty in the same frame. Each piece is doing a different job, and the page gets muddy if the reader cannot say what is being identified, what is being tested, and what would change if one piece disappeared.
In plain terms: Intuitions, while powerful and often seemingly immediate, also fall under the limitations of inductive reasoning.
Keep True or False Propositions and Inductive Confidence distinct from Sub-Absolute Asymptotic Approximation of Full Certainty. They are not interchangeable bits of vocabulary; they point the reader toward different judgments, objections, or next steps.
A quick way to test the page is to imagine an ordinary disagreement in which Presuppositions matters. What would a careful reader now say, test, or withhold because True or False Propositions and Inductive Confidence and Sub-Absolute Asymptotic Approximation of Full Certainty has been made clearer? If the page cannot answer that, it still needs more contact with life.
The earlier sections should already have put but axioms themselves cannot escape their dependence on induction in motion. The last prompt should gather that pressure into a closing judgment rather than tagging on an answer that never quite joins the rest.
A fair pushback is that ordinary life cannot wait for perfect evidence. That is true, but it does not give favored beliefs a free pass. The section should show how acting under uncertainty differs from excusing weak support.
One honest test after reading is whether the reader can use Presuppositions to sort a live borderline case or answer a serious objection about Presuppositions. The answer should leave the reader with a concrete test, contrast, or objection to carry into the next case. That keeps the page tied to what would make a belief worth holding, revising, or abandoning rather than leaving it as a detached summary.
Intuitions arise from a complex web of experiences, biases, and subconscious processing. We often lack a clear understanding of how or why we arrive at a particular intuitive feeling.
Our intuitions can be heavily influenced by confirmation bias. We tend to focus on information that confirms our existing beliefs and downplay evidence that contradicts them. This makes it difficult to objectively assess the accuracy of our intuitions.
It can be incredibly challenging to definitively test an intuition. Many things we intuitively believe are difficult to replicate in controlled settings.
Intuitions can vary significantly across cultures and individuals. What feels intuitively true to one person might seem completely wrong to another. This highlights the subjective nature of intuition.
Despite their limitations, intuitions can serve valuable heuristic functions. Quick judgments based on experience can be helpful for navigating complex situations.
The distinction between objective truth (the state of affairs in the world independent of human perception) and subjective belief (an individual’s conviction or acceptance of a proposition as true) is foundational in epistemology. This differentiation highlights the gap between what is (objective reality) and our understanding or beliefs about what is (subjective interpretations).
Human cognition is bounded by various limitations, including sensory capacities, cognitive biases, and the scope of our experiences. These limitations mean that even our most confident beliefs about the world are, in principle, fallible. Our knowledge claims, especially those derived from inductive reasoning, are always subject to revision in light of new evidence or better arguments.
Given these considerations, your conclusion advocates for a stance of epistemic humility. Recognizing the subjective limits of our knowledge and the asymptotic nature of our approach towards certainty underscores the importance of being open to new information and willing to revise our beliefs. This stance does not undermine the pursuit of knowledge but rather frames it as a dynamic and ongoing process, one that is rigorously skeptical and constantly self-correcting.
You’re right about the misappropriation of axioms. Axioms are foundational starting points within a system, often considered self-evident or beyond question within that framework. However, they don’t necessarily represent objective truths in the absolute sense.
The distinction between a proposition being true or false and our level of confidence in its truth is crucial. A statement can be objectively true, but our understanding of it may be limited by our inductive experience.
As you point out, even with very strong inductive evidence, we can never achieve absolute certainty. Our subjective minds always operate within epistemic limitations. This inherent “sub-absolute asymptotic approximation” of certainty perfectly captures the essence of our knowledge based on induction.
Despite their limitations, axioms play a vital role in building coherent systems of thought. In mathematics or logic, for example, the starting axioms allow us to derive other truths with a high degree of certainty within that specific system.
Acknowledging the limitations of our knowledge, as you do, is a key aspect of good critical thinking. A healthy dose of skepticism helps us avoid mistaking strong beliefs for absolute truths.
- True or False Propositions and Inductive Confidence: While any given proposition about the world can be categorized as true or false, our ability to correctly categorize such propositions is constrained by our epistemic limitations.
- Sub-Absolute Asymptotic Approximation of Full Certainty: This concept eloquently encapsulates the idea that our pursuit of certainty can approach but never fully achieve absolute certainty.
- Belief calibration: Presuppositions concerns how strongly the available evidence warrants belief, disbelief, or suspension of judgment.
- Evidence standard: Support, counterevidence, and merely persuasive appearances have to be kept distinct.
- Error pressure: Overconfidence, underconfidence, and ambiguous testimony each distort the conclusion in different ways.
What ties this page together.
The best route is to track how evidence changes credence, how justification differs from psychological comfort, and how skepticism can discipline thought without paralyzing it.
The recurring pressure is false certainty: treating a feeling of obviousness, a social consensus, or a useful assumption as if it had already earned the status of knowledge.
Start with Prior to an examination of presuppositions, elaborate on the notion. Without that first grip, Presuppositions can sound weighty while staying hard to use.
Read this page as part of the wider Epistemology branch: the prompts point inward to the topic, but they also point outward to neighboring questions that keep the topic honest.
- What does inductive reasoning rely on for developing hypotheses and theories?
- How does deductive reasoning differ from inductive reasoning?
- What is a key argument against the notion that axioms are inductively acquired?
- Which distinction inside Presuppositions is easiest to miss when the topic is explained too quickly?
- What is the strongest charitable reading of this topic, and what is the strongest criticism?
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Future Branches
Where this page naturally expands
Nearby pages in the same branch include Epistemology — Core Concepts, What is Epistemology?, Core & Deep Rationality, and What is Belief?; those links are not decorative, but suggested continuations where the pressure of this page becomes sharper, stranger, or more usefully contested.