| Personally, I think the difference is inductive vs. deductive reasoning. Inductive types like to say "Conclusion A is correct, therefore opinions D, E, and F." Deductive types like to say, "Due to evidence X, Y, and Z, conclusion B appears to be correct. Therefore opinions D, E, and F."
This difference is also often delineated as rationalistic vs. empirical thought. I'd like to think I'm one of the latter.
The former leads to dangerous situations. Revolutionaries are often rationalists; they pursue their policies despite evidence that their actions are clearly harming others to a significant degree (Nazis, Maoists, Neocons).
The clearest way to determine whether someone is an inductive rationalist is to see whether their views ever change, even by the slightest degree. If they don't, they are an inductive rationalist.
"What truth endures beneath the flaming stream?"
-- A Volcano, Bartolome de Las Casas, Inferno de Marsaya, 1536 |