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    If no method can rule out nihilism, then no method can ru... — Carmelics
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    Challenges→Nothing can rule out moral nihilism.

    If no method can rule out nihilism, then no method can rule out non-nihilism either, making the asymmetric skeptical conclusion self-undermining.

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    1 reason for
    1 reason against

    Reasons For

    1 perspective
    Reason for
    ?
    • 1.Logical symmetry: If a method cannot eliminate hypothesis H, it cannot eliminate ¬H, since both require the same evidential standard.
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    • 2.Self-refutation principle: A rule that permits rejecting non-nihilism while forbidding rejection of nihilism violates its own criteria uniformly.
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    • 3.Underdetermination applies equally: Evidence underdetermines all metaphysical conclusions equally, so asymmetric conclusions lack rational justification.
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    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
    ?
    • 1.Burden of proof differs: Nihilism requires positive evidence for sweeping negation; non-nihilism only requires doubt of that negation. Asymmetry is justified.
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    • 2.Symmetry fallacy: Logical form doesn't determine evidential weight. Ruling out a positive claim differs from ruling out its negation due to content.
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    • 3.Default rationality: Accepting ordinary claims (non-nihilism) needs no method to refute alternatives; extraordinary claims (nihilism) require special justification.
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    Connections

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    Truth & Knowledge1 linkedSkepticism1 linked

    Related

    Burden of proof differs: Nihilism requires positive evidence for sweeping negati...Default rationality: Accepting ordinary claims (non-nihilism) needs no method to...Logical symmetry: If a method cannot eliminate hypothesis H, it cannot eliminate...Nothing can rule out moral nihilism.
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    Self-refutation principle: A rule that permits rejecting non-nihilism while forb...Symmetry fallacy: Logical form doesn't determine evidential weight. Ruling out a...Underdetermination applies equally: Evidence underdetermines all metaphysical co...

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