The Uncertainty Principles: A Guide to Not Knowing What You're Doing

Chapter 5: The Principle of Inadequate Reasoning

As we've established, the Uncertainty Principles are a series of fundamental rules for not knowing what you're doing. And what's more fundamental than the Principle of Inadequate Reasoning?

This principle states that, given the constraints of the situation, you should only have enough information to be completely unsure of your choices.

Think of it like trying to find your way around a dark cave. You have a map, but it's hand-drawn on a napkin. The lines are all wobbly, and the symbols look like they were drawn by a kindergartener. You have a flashlight that only works on and off, and the batteries are probably dead anyway.

That's what it's like to navigate by the Principle of Inadequate Reasoning. You know just enough to make you feel marginally less anxious, but not enough to actually get you anywhere.

Related Reading:

"The principle of insufficient knowledge is a powerful force. It's like trying to build a house of cards in a hurricane."

This principle was first discovered by someone who was probably just winging it.

Further Reading: