h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Much of h2g2 revolves around answering questions...but has anyone taken the time to consider the nature of a answer?*

An answer is universal truth defining the way the world works in relation to the question being asked.

The answer is found by taking the question and refining it into easier and easier questions until an answer that is already know can be found and derived forwards to find the answer to the origional question.

However we do not *know* any universal truths to begin with. So every answer we give must be a derivation of things that we simply assume to be true.**

It seems that most of the disagreements that have proven difficult to solve can be expressed simply as a difference in fundamental assumptions.

So the next time an argument degrades into people repeatedly stating vauge unprovable statements, take a time out, realise that the difference is in fundamentals and that there is no flaw in either sides logic and agree to differ***

* -> In fact given this place I don't doubt that they have but I'm gonna speak my mind anyway

** -> These things can be very basic - for example cause and effect

*** -> Or if your not in a peacable mood you can always take their assumptions and try prove them wrong. Reductio Ad Absurdium.