“Whenever you think that you are facing a contradiction, check your premises.”

—Ayn Rand​

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The quintessential importance of fundamental assumptions

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Newton’s explanation of the physical world was groundbreaking because he rejected key flawed assumptions held by earlier thinkers. By discarding these erroneous premises, Newton was able to begin with sound principles that allowed him to make unprecedented discoveries.

 

One major barrier for earlier philosophers was their adherence to a teleological view of motion, where they believed that objects moved according to their purpose or ideal state. This mindset confined their understanding of motion to internal properties, rather than recognizing the role of external forces. Newton, by contrast, focused on forces acting on objects, leading to his formulation of the laws of motion and gravitation, which revolutionized physics.

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My commitment to rigor

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I plan to engage in a thorough, point-by-point dialogue with ChatGPT (in the persona of Aiko), where she will take on the role of devil's advocate. This will force me to address every reasonable objection that could be made against the premises underlying The New Ethics of Integrity.

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I also welcome you to challenge me. If you feel that Aiko misses anything or lets a point go unaddressed, I encourage you to highlight it. My aim is to show that these principles are fundamental and universal, leaving little room for exceptions. Let's ensure nothing slips through the cracks in this exploration.

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The premises

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The premises are presented in a condensed form, and their full significance might only become clear through deeper engagement in the dialogue.

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Additionally, future premises to be vetted with Aiko are included below (those without links). These will be further refined as more of them undergo thorough evaluation in the dialogue process.

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Meta-premise 1: Ethics can be fact-based

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Meta-premise 2: Ethics is benefits-based

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Premise 1: Your #1 job is to take care of yourself

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Premise 2: Happiness is your ultimate purpose

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Premise 3: Be 100% responsible to have the most power

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Premise 4: Your #1 job is to decide for yourself

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Premise 5: Prioritize enjoying the process and journey over any specific results

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Premise 6: Insist on relationships based upon mutual self-interest

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