# Principles of Rationality The **Principles of Rationality** are [Justified](Justification.md) via [Argument](Argument.md). They are: 1. [We Must Seek Good Explanations](We%20Must%20Seek%20Good%20Explanations.md). 2. [Criterion for Reality](Criterion%20for%20Reality.md): Define reality as those entities which fit into our best [Explanations](Explanations.md) (does it "kick back"[^1]) 3. Chose the less variable explanation 4. [Progress](Progress.md) occurs via moving from [Problems](Problem.md) to better [Problems](Problem.md) via improving our [Explanations](Explanations.md) 5. Always prioritize [Error Correction](Error%20Correction.md) and the means of criticism 6. Reject postulates that solve no problems ([Defend Science by Arguing Against Arbitrary Boundaries](Defend%20Science%20by%20Arguing%20Against%20Arbitrary%20Boundaries.md))[^2] 7. Justify theories with argument and testing 8. Good Explanations are not to be lightly discarded. Take our existing theories seriously, as explanations of the world. 9. Explanations have a structure, and [Explanations Imply Consequences](Explanations%20Imply%20Consequences.md). We cannot sever portions of an explanation unless it solves a problem and is well argued for—otherwise, it has made it a worse explanation ([Argument Is How We Achieve Justification](Argument%20Is%20How%20We%20Achieve%20Justification.md)) --- Date: 20250401 Links to: [Principles of Reason](Principles%20of%20Reason.md) Tags: References: * []() [^1]: [Dr Johnsons Criteria](Dr%20Johnsons%20Criteria.md) [^2]: [Fabric of Reality](Fabric%20of%20Reality.md) pg 156