my axioms

my model of the way the world works, which i use in order to take decisions and predict likelihoods, is also based on some basic axioms. they are however not cast iron rules, if they don't work in a given situation/or at all they are changed or adapted... it is my 'dogma' to never be dogmatic about anything, including my axioms!

the point of axioms are that you are supposed to believe them... any model, because it is by definition simpler than reality, must at some point be possible to be inconsistant with reality... it is here that the axioms come in... they basically act to remove parts of "possible" reality from your model... if the "possiblity" is inconsistant with your axioms then under your model it is not possible.... of course if that 'possiblity' happens your axioms are 'wrong' (not useful), and must be changed.

in my mind (who else's counts?) all i need is one axiom, all the rest follow irresistably...

here are some of the rest that follow, they are set in groups with the top one being the most 'fundemental'; there is much crosslinkage between groups: the groups are only there for convenience, and are not in anyway inherent:-

you can never know what anyone else is thinking.

nothing can be inferred from silence.

punishment is stupid.

you can't tell whether someone is stupid, insane or evil.

think about the consequences not the motive.

expect misunderstanding, expect to be wrong, ask questions, check constantly.
 

there is nothing such as equality.

people aren't and can never be equal under the law.

one man one vote is based on a false premise.

treating two people the 'same' even if possible is stupid.

treating 'one' person the 'same' from one moment to the next is stupid.

adaptation must be constant and in step with changes you observe in the real world, not based on some fixed dogma.

in every situation: stop, think, act.
 

nothing is certain

don't worry about proof, act on the basis of what achieves close enough to the required results that you don't care about the difference.

use an idea only when useful... do not stick to dogma beyond its usefulness.

be paranoid.

trust people, but with caution... blind trust is a form of dogma... blind distrust is also a form of dogma.

if something is not working, your model is incorrect in this situation... find out why and change it.
 

all classification or grouping is arbitary

do not become caught in the words, they are just labels for convenience, and should be alter or discarded when necessary.

one minute a table, the next a chair, the next a bonfire... think in terms of the reality not the words.

expect others to classify things differently.. the more complicated the thing, the greater significance you are likely to put on the differences. eg. i 'know' i'm normal and everyone else is strange... other seem to 'know' i'm strange.
 

that's all for the moment... i'll add more as it occurs to me. hope this helps to explain the way i interpret and react to the world