Title: Twelve Virtues of Rationality

Q: The first virtue is [...].
A: The first virtue is curiosity.

Q: The second virtue is [...].
A: The second virtue is relinquishment.

Q: The third virtue is [...].
A: The third virtue is lightness.

Q: The fourth virtue is [...].
A: The fourth virtue is evenness.

Q: The fifth virtue is [...].
A: The fifth virtue is argument.

Q: The sixth virtue is [...].
A: The sixth virtue is empiricism.

Q: The seventh virtue is [...].
A: The seventh virtue is simplicity.

Q: The eighth virtue is [...].
A: The eighth virtue is humility.

Q: The ninth virtue is [...].
A: The ninth virtue is perfectionism.

Q: The tenth virtue is [...].
A: The tenth virtue is precision.

Q: The eleventh virtue is [...].
A: The eleventh virtue is scholarship.

Q: The twelvth virtue is [...].
A: The twelvth virtue is nameless.

Question: What is higher than a solemn vow to pursue truth?
Answer: A burning itch to know.

Question: A burning itch to know is higher than what?
Answer: A solumn vow to pursue truth.

Question: What is required to feel the burning itch of curiosity? (2 things)
Answer: 1. Ignorance
2. The desire to relinquish that ignorance

Question: What makes questioning purposeless? (2 things)
In my heart I . . .
Answer: Believe I already know.
Answer2: Do not wish to know.

Question: Curiositiy seeks to [...] itself.
Answer: Curiositiy seeks to annihilate itself.

Question: There is no curiosity that does not want
Answer: an answer.

Question: The glory of glorious mystery is to be
Answer: solved.

Question: There is a time to [...] your ignorance and a time to [...] your ignorance.
Answer: There is a time to confess your ignorance and a time to relinquish your ignorance.

Question: Be wary of those who speak of being
Answer: open-minded

Question: Be wary of those who modestly
Answer: confess their ignorance

Question: P.C. Hodgell said:
Answer: "That which can be destroyed by the truth should be."

Question: The thought I [...] controls me more than the thoughts I [...].
Answer: The thought I cannot think controls me more than the thoughts I speak aloud.

Question: Do not [...] from experiences that might destroy my beliefs.
Answer: Do not flinch from experiences that might destroy my beliefs.

Question: Do not flinch from experiences that might
Answer: destroy my beliefs

Question: [...] the emotion which rests upon a mistaken belief.
Answer: Relinquish the emotion which rests upon a mistaken belief.

Question: Relinquish the emotion which rests upon a
Answer: mistaken belief.

Question: Seek to [...] that emotion which fits the facts.
Answer: Seek to feel fully that emotion which fits the facts.

Question: Seek to feel fully that emotion which
Answer: fits the facts.

Q: Submit myself to [...].
A: Submit myself to ordeals.

Question: Test myself in
Answer: fire

Question: If the iron approaches my face, and I believe it is hot, and it is cool, the Way [...].
Answer: If the iron approaches my face, and I believe it is hot, and it is cool, the Way opposes my fear.

Question: If the iron approaches my face, and I believe it is cool, and it is hot, the Way
Answer: opposes my calm

Question: [...] my beliefs first and then [...] at my emotions.
Answer: Evaluate my beliefs first and then arrive at my emotions.

Question: Let myself say, "If the iron is hot, [...]."
Answer: Let myself say, "If the iron is hot, I desire to believe it is hot."

Question: Let myself say, "If the iron is cool,
Answer: I desire to believe it is cool."

Question: Beware lest I become [...] to beliefs I may not want.
Answer: Beware lest I become attached to beliefs I may not want.

Question: Beware lest I become attached to beliefs I
Answer: may not want.

Question: Let the [...] blow my about as though I am a leaf, with no direction of my own.
Answer: Let the winds of evidence blow my about as though I am a leaf, with no direction of my own.

Question: Let the winds of evidence blow my about as though I am a [...], with no direction of my own.
Answer: Let the winds of evidence blow my about as though I am a leaf, with no direction of my own.

Question: Let the winds of evidence blow my about as though I am a leaf, with no
Answer: direction of my own.

Question: Beware lest I fight a [...] against the evidence.
Answer: rearguard retreat

Question: Beware lest I fight a rearguard retreat against
Answer: the evidence

Question: [...] to the truth as quickly as I can.
Answer: Surrender to the truth as quickly as I can.

Question: Be [...] to my cause and betray it to a stronger enemy.
Answer: Be faithless to my cause and betray it to a stronger enemy.

Question: Be faithless to my cause and [...] it to a [...].
Answer: Be faithless to my cause and betray it to a stronger enemy.

Question: If I regard evidence as a [...] and seek to free myself, I sell myself into the chains of my whims.
Answer: If I regard evidence as a constraint and seek to free myself, I sell myself into the chains of my whims.

Question: If I regard evidence as a constraint and seek to [...], I sell myself into the chains of my whims.
Answer: If I regard evidence as a constraint and seek to free myself, I sell myself into the chains of my whims.

Question: If I regard evidence as a constraint and seek to free myself, I [...] into the chains of my whims.
Answer: If I regard evidence as a constraint and seek to free myself, I sell myself into the chains of my whims.

Question: If I regard evidence as a constraint and seek to free myself, I sell myself into the
Answer: chains of my whims.

Question: I cannot make a [...] by sitting in a room with my eyes shut.
Answer: I cannot make a true map of a city by sitting in a room with my eyes shut.

Question: I cannot make a true map of a city by
Answer: sitting in a room with my eyes shut.

Question: One who wishes to believe says, “[...]”
Answer: One who wishes to believe says, “Does the evidence permit me to believe?”

Question: One who wishes to disbelieve asks,
Answer: “Does the evidence force me to believe?”

Question: If I pick and choose my data, then
Answer: less I know.

Question: Beware lest I place [...] only on propositions I dislike.
Answer: Beware lest I place huge burdens of proof only on propositions I dislike.

Question: Beware lest I place huge burdens of proof only on
Answer: propositions I dislike

Question: When a conclusion is written, it is already
Answer: correct or already wrong.

Question: If I [...] inspect for flaws, then every flaw I learn to detect makes me that much stupider.
Answer: If I selectively inspect for flaws, then every flaw I learn to detect makes me that much stupider.

Question: If I selectively inspect for flaws, then [...] makes me that much stupider.
Answer: If I selectively inspect for flaws, then every flaw I learn to detect makes me that much stupider.

Question: If I selectively inspect for flaws, then every flaw I learn to detect makes me
Answer: that much stupider.

Question: To be clever in argument is not [...] but [...].
Answer: To be clever in argument is not rationality but rationalization.

Question: [...], to be useful, must be used for something other than defeating itself.
Answer: Intelligence, to be useful, must be used for something other than defeating itself.

Question: Intelligence, to be useful, must be used for something other than [...].
Answer: Intelligence, to be useful, must be used for something other than defeating itself.

Question: Do not seek to argue for one [...] or [...].
Answer: Do not seek to argue for one side or another.

Question: If I knew my [...], I would already be there.
Answer: If I knew my destination, I would already be there.

Question: If I knew my destination, I would
Answer: already be there.

Question: Those who smile wisely and say, "I will not argue," both
Answer: remove themselves from help
Answer2: withdraw from the communal effort

Question: In argument strive for
Answer: exact honest.

Question: The part of myself that distorts [...] also distorts my own thoughts.
Answer: The part of myself that distorts what I say to others also distorts my own thoughts.

Question: The part of myself that distorts what I say to others also distorts
Answer: my own thoughts

Question: The part of myself that [...] what I say to others also [...] my own thoughts.
Answer: The part of myself that distorts what I say to others also distorts my own thoughts.

Question: Do not believe I do others a [...] if I accept their arguments; the favor is to me.
Answer: Do not believe I do others a favor if I accept their arguments; the favor is to me.

Question: Do not believe I do others a favor if I [...]; the favor is to me.
Answer: Do not believe I do others a favor if I accept their arguments; the favor is to me.

Question: Do not believe I do others a favor if I accept their arguments; the favor is to
Answer: me

Question: Fairness to all sides does not mean [...] between propositions.
Answer: Fairness to all sides does not mean balancing myself evenly between propositions.

Question: [...] is not handed out in equal proportions.
Answer: Truth is not handed out in equal proportions.

Question: Truth is not handed out in
Answer: equal proportions.

Question: Seek a [...] that lets reality judge between you.
Answer: test

Question: Seek a test that lets [...] judge between you.
Answer: Seek a test that lets reality judge between you.

Question: The roots of knowledge are in
Answer: observation

Question: The fruit of knowledge is
Answer: prediction

Question: Do not ask which [...], but which [...].
Answer: Do not ask which beliefs to profess, but which experiences to anticipate.

Question: Always know which [...] I argue about.
Answer: Always know which difference of experience I argue about.

Question: Jerry Cleaver said: “[...] It’s overlooking the basics. Not keeping your eye on the ball.”
Answer: Jerry Cleaver said: “What does you in is not failure to apply some high-level, intricate, complicated technique. It’s overlooking the basics. Not keeping your eye on the ball."

Question: Do not be [...] by words.
Answer: Do not be blinded by words.

Question: When [...] are subtracted, anticipation remains.
Answer: words

Question: When words are subtracted, [...] remains.
Answer: anticipation

Question: Antoine de Saint-Exupéry said:
Answer: Perfection is achieved not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.”

Question: Simplicity is virtuous in
Answer: belief
Answer2: design
Answer3: planning
Answer4: justification

Q: Simplicity is virtuous in belief, design, [...], and [...].
A: Simplicity is virtuous in belief, design, planning, and justification.

Question: Each additional [...] is another chance for the belief to be wrong.
Answer: Each additional detail is another chance for the belief to be wrong.

Question: Each additional detail is another chance for the belief to be
Answer: wrong

Question: Each specification adds to your [...].
Answer: Each specification adds to your burden.

Question: If I can [...] my burden I must do so.
Answer: If I can lighten my burden I must do so.

Question: Of artifacts it is said:
Answer: The most reliable gear is the one that is designed out of the machine.

Q: Of plans it is said: [...]
A: Of plans it is said: A tangled web breaks.

Question: In mathematics, a [...] cannot atone for a single sin.
Answer: In mathematics, a mountain of good deeds cannot atone for a single sin.

Question: In mathematics, a mountain of good deeds cannot atone for a
Answer: single sin

Question: Be careful on every
Answer: step

Question: To be humble is to take [...] in anticipation of my own errors.
Answer: To be humble is to take specific actions in anticipation of my own errors.

Question: To be humble is to take specific actions in anticipation of [...].
Answer: To be humble is to take specific actions in anticipation of my own errors.

Question: To confess my fallibility and then do nothing is [...].
Answer: To confess my fallibility and then do nothing is boasting of my modesty.

Question: The [...] are those who most skillfully prepare for the deepest and most catastrophic errors in their own beliefs and plans.
Answer: The most humble are those who most skillfully prepare for the deepest and most catastrophic errors in their own beliefs and plans.

Question: The most humble are those who most [...] for the deepest and most catastrophic errors in their own beliefs and plans.
Answer: The most humble are those who most skillfully prepare for the deepest and most catastrophic errors in their own beliefs and plans.

Question: The most humble are those who most skillfully prepare for the deepest and most catastrophic errors in
Answer: their own beliefs and plans.

Question: It is useless to be
Answer: superior.

Question: The best physicist in ancient Greece could not
Answer: calculate the path of a falling apple.

Question: If I [...] I will not see the biases that all humans share.
Answer: If I compare myself to others I will not see the biases that all humans share.

Question: If I compare myself to others I will not see the biases that
Answer: all humans share.

Question: To be human is to make
Answer: ten thousand errors

Question: To be [...] is to make ten thousand errors.
Answer: To be human is to make ten thousand errors.

Question: No one in this world achieves
Answer: perfection.

Question: The more [...] I correct in myself, the more I notice.
Answer: The more errors I correct in myself, the more I notice.

Question: The more errors I correct in myself, the more I
Answer: notice

Q: As my mind becomes more [...], I hear more [...].
A: As my mind becomes more silent, I hear more noise.

Question: If I [...] error and do not correct it, I will not advance to the next level.
Answer: If I tolerate error and do not correct it, I will not advance to the next level.

Question: If I tolerate error and do not [...] it, I will not advance to the next level.
Answer: correct

Question: If I tolerate error and do not correct it, I will not [...].
Answer: If I tolerate error and do not correct it, I will not advance to the next level.

Question: If perfection is [...] that is no excuse for not trying.
Answer: If perfection is impossible that is no excuse for not trying.

Question: If perfection is impossible that is no excuse for
Answer: not trying

Question: Hold myself to the highest [...] I can imagine, and look for one still higher.
Answer: standard

Question: Hold myself to the highest standard I can imagine, and look for one
Answer: still higher

Question: Do not be content with the answer that is [...] right.
Answer: Do not be content with the answer that is almost right.

Question: Seek the answer that is [...] right.
Answer: Seek the answer that is exactly right.

Question: What is true of one [...] may not be true of another [...].
Answer: What is true of one apple may not be true of another apple.

Question: More can be said about a [...] than about [...].
Answer: More can be said about a single apple than about all the apples in the world.

Question: The [...] statements slice deepest.
Answer: narrowest

Question: The narrowest statements slice
Answer: deepest.

Question: Do not walk to the truth, but
Answer: dance

Q: On each and every step of the [...] my foot comes down in exactly the right spot.
A: On each and every step of the dance my foot comes down in exactly the right spot.

Question: Study the [...] and absort their power as my own.
Answer: Study the sciences and absort their power as my own.

Question: Study the sciences and absort their [...] as my own.
Answer: Study the sciences and absort their power as my own.

Question: Each field I consume makes me
Answer: larger.

Q: If I am [...] I will become vaster than mountains.
A: If I am gluttonous I will become vaster than mountains.

Question: If I am gluttonous I will become
Answer: vaster than mountains.

Question: The [...] must have a purpose other than itself.
Answer: The Art must have a purpose other than itself.

Question: The Art must have a [...] other than itself.
Answer: The Art must have a purpose other than itself.

Question: Every step of my [...] must cut through to the correct answer in the same movement.
Answer: Every step of my reasoning must cut through to the correct answer in the same movement.

Question: Every step of my reasoning must [...] in the same movement.
Answer: Every step of my reasoning must cut through to the correct answer in the same movement.

Question: Every step of my reasoning must cut through to the correct answer in the same
Answer: movement.

Question: More than anything, I must think of
Answer: carrying my map through to reflecting the territory.

Question: I do not improve my concept of rationality by saying,
Answer: It is my duty to be rational.

Question: Do not ask whether it is “[...]” to do this or that. Ask whether the sky is blue or green.
Answer: Do not ask whether it is “the Way” to do this or that. Ask whether the sky is blue or green.

Question: Do not ask whether it is “the Way” to do this or that. Ask [...].
Answer: whether the sky is blue or green.

Question: Miyamoto Musashi, The Book of Five Rings:
“[...] Whenever you parry, hit, spring, strike or touch the enemy’s cutting sword, you must cut the enemy in the same movement. It is essential to attain this. If you think only of hitting, springing, striking or touching the enemy, you will not be able actually to cut him. More than anything, you must be thinking of carrying your movement through to cutting him.”
Answer: The primary thing when you take a sword in your hands is your intention to cut the enemy, whatever the means.

Q: Miyamoto Musashi, The Book of Five Rings:
“The primary thing when you take a sword in your hands is your intention to cut the enemy, whatever the means. [...] It is essential to attain this. If you think only of hitting, springing, striking or touching the enemy, you will not be able actually to cut him. More than anything, you must be thinking of carrying your movement through to cutting him.”
A: Whenever you parry, hit, spring, strike or touch the enemy’s cutting sword, you must cut the enemy in the same movement.

Q: Miyamoto Musashi, The Book of Five Rings:
“The primary thing when you take a sword in your hands is your intention to cut the enemy, whatever the means. Whenever you parry, hit, spring, strike or touch the enemy’s cutting sword, you must cut the enemy in the same movement. [...] If you think only of hitting, springing, striking or touching the enemy, you will not be able actually to cut him. More than anything, you must be thinking of carrying your movement through to cutting him.”
A: It is essential to attain this.

Q: Miyamoto Musashi, The Book of Five Rings:
“The primary thing when you take a sword in your hands is your intention to cut the enemy, whatever the means. Whenever you parry, hit, spring, strike or touch the enemy’s cutting sword, you must cut the enemy in the same movement. It is essential to attain this. [...] More than anything, you must be thinking of carrying your movement through to cutting him.”
A: If you think only of hitting, springing, striking or touching the enemy, you will not be able actually to cut him.

Question: Miyamoto Musashi, The Book of Five Rings:
“The primary thing when you take a sword in your hands is your intention to cut the enemy, whatever the means. Whenever you parry, hit, spring, strike or touch the enemy’s cutting sword, you must cut the enemy in the same movement. It is essential to attain this. If you think only of hitting, springing, striking or touching the enemy, you will not be able actually to cut him. [...]”
Answer: More than anything, you must be thinking of carrying your movement through to cutting him.

Question: Jerry Cleaver said: “What does you in is not failure to apply some high-level, intricate, complicated technique. [...]"
Answer: Jerry Cleaver said: “What does you in is not failure to apply some high-level, intricate, complicated technique. It’s overlooking the basics. Not keeping your eye on the ball."