SI
SI
discoversearch

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor.  We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community.  If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.
Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group
 Public ReplyPrvt ReplyMark as Last ReadFilePrevious 10Next 10PreviousNext  
To: Dayuhan who wrote (87556)3/29/2003 2:50:52 AM
From: JustTradeEm  Read Replies (1) of 281500
 
This item struck me:

…nothing short of the actual outcome of the war will settle whether waging it was a good idea.

"The existence of two mutually exclusive courses of action does not mean that one of those courses is the right one and the other the wrong one. We cannot say that because course A had a positive outcome, course B would necessarily have had a negative outcome, or vice versa.

The outcome, good or bad, will doubtless teach many lessons, but nobody who respects clear thought will be able to use it to prove anything about the hypothetical consequences of traveling the road not taken. I’m sure that many people will try to use it that way - clear thought is not exactly fashionable these days - but that use will be essentially invalid, wherever it crops up."

I've not read the article yet Steven but was the author setting up an either / or proposition ?

Your clip from the article doesn't state that.

It does say that the outcome of one solitary decision can only be evaluated for success after the fact. It says nothing about the unlimited alternatives to that decision.

The point of the author based on your snippet is valid; as is yours. Seems you're arguing a point he wasn't attempting to make though.

What am I missing ?

JB
Report TOU ViolationShare This Post
 Public ReplyPrvt ReplyMark as Last ReadFilePrevious 10Next 10PreviousNext  

HomeMailHotSubjectMarksPeopleMarksKeepersSettings
Terms Of UseContact UsCopyright/IP PolicyPrivacy PolicyAbout UsFAQAdvertise on SI
© 2025 Knight Sac Media.  Data provided by Twelve Data, Alpha Vantage, and CityFALCON News