How Starting Points Effect Outcomes in Science, Politics and Religion

Great Debates
1

I am under the impression that starting points effect outcomes in most if not all areas of discipline study.

For example, in the realm of politics. On a reading of the constitution I’ve come to the conclusion that the budget is NOT to come from the President, but from congress. Now on the surface one could come to the conclusion of “what’s the difference, the end result would be the same.” To that I would disagree, because of the dynamics of the process, chemistry between individuals, deals and what not. Even though the budget would still have to go to the president for approval, and if disapproved, back to the house to be reconsidered or for an override, I think the outcome of the process would be different than if the budget started with the President (an erosion of the constitution in my opinion).

In other words, everyone in congress would NOT be trying to appeal to the president to get what they want in HIS budget, but are appealing to each other for THEIR budget (again, a different kind of emphasis that can result in a change of dynamics and chemistry that could effect the outcome, deals and what not of the budget process)

Hence an example of how ones starting point could effect an outcome in the realm of politics.

(the starting point being where to start the budget process)

I think a lot of battles in life (and on this board) come down to ones starting point, or presuppositions.

What do you think?

2

I think this one is better started in Great Debates rather than General Questions.

Moved. samclem GQ moderator

3

Of course. To have an argument (of any meaningful content), an agreed upon set of axioms must be established. The axioms are often created out of whole cloth, reliant on nothing more than our (possibly vague) opinions and/or assumptions.

Or, as you say, our presuppositions.

4

I agree (I think.) I think experiments were discussed in Freakonomics showing that people’s estimation of a reasonable value for something changes depending on whether they estimated from scratch or were given a set of choices. Once someone gives a number, perhaps a budget number, it automatically becomes reasonable, and discussion centers around it.

It is why making the first proposal is often very important.

Or is that not what was meant?