Rules and particular inferences alike are justified by…
“Rules and particular inferences alike are justified by being brought into agreement with each other. A rule is amended if it yields an inference we are unwilling to accept; an inference is rejected if it violates a rule we are unwilling to amend.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Rules and inferences must cohere; a rule changes if it yields unacceptable inferences, and an inference is rejected if it conflicts with an unamended rule.
In simple terms: Consistency between rules and conclusions is essential.
Align rules and conclusions consistently.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- legal reasoning
- scientific theory
- AI decision making
- policy development
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- When should a rule be revised?
- How to handle conflicting inferences?
Rigid adherence can stifle innovation.