Automated Reason Promotion: Algorithms to automate conflict resolution, cost-benefit analysis, and verification of logic and evidence

Algorithms to automate conflict resolution, cost-benefit analysis, and weighing of logic and evidence
1) Introduction

In this modern era, we could look up nearly anything online, with unprecedented access to information in human history. However, as we wade through this vast ocean of data, it's clear that having information doesn't necessarily translate into wisdom.

An apt parallel is the attempt to institute democracy in Iraq by simply introducing voting. The lack of established institutions employing effective processes or algorithms to support a democratic framework illustrated how complex systems require more than one component to function optimally. Similarly, our information society needs to incorporate better processes or algorithms to manage and benefit from the wealth of knowledge we've amassed.

The internet can often resemble an unfathomable maze filled with echo chambers, from fervent supporters of fringe theories to intense political enthusiasts. In this complex network, we simultaneously enjoy access to cutting-edge data from engineering marvels like the James Webb Telescope and grapple with discerning information from a flood of half-truths and outright falsehoods.

This book aims to confront this dilemma head-on by introducing a pioneering online system to enable more informed and comprehensive decision-making. We can promote a more balanced and nuanced discourse by gathering, classifying, and ranking the most compelling arguments for and against any given belief or decision. We envision a digital space where ideas are not merely exchanged but systematically evaluated—where the most convincing and relevant arguments rise above the cacophony.

By adopting such a system, we can potentially transform the dynamics of debate and decision-making, creating a ripple effect that could improve democratic processes and lead to a more enlightened society. We invite you to join us in exploring a revolutionary concept, seeking to bring clarity and critical thinking to our decision-making processes in this era of information overload.
2) Wisdom of the Ages

Imagine a digital world modeled after Lady Justice. In Western lore, she deftly balances the scales of fair debate and wears a blindfold representing objectivity. But this idea of judicious discourse wasn't unique to the West. In ancient Egypt, Maat, the goddess of wisdom, also held a scale, weighing the manifold aspects of each issue.

Athena, the Greek goddess of both reason and war, offered two paths to resolving conflict: engaging in intellectual debates, where logic ruled, or resorting to the chaos of war, laden with death, destruction, and manipulation.

Historically, societies prospered when they upheld reasoning, avoided bias, and fostered logic. In contrast, societies tumbled into chaos when they shunned reasoned discourse in favor of one-sided arguments or war. In our digital age, abundant with information, we've somehow misplaced the wisdom of the ages.

Undoubtedly, we've learned myriad lessons from those times. But has the method or quality of debate truly evolved? Would the wise ones of the past approve of how we debate today? How do we pick our sides, filter our news, and subscribe to our preferred media echo chambers?

These platforms – Facebook, Twitter, and others – are our modern-day debating arenas. But do they measure up to the intellectual rigor of our ancestors' debates? As we grapple with an increasingly complex, interconnected world, can we genuinely progress if our discourse fails to rise to the occasion?

Faced with this significant challenge, we must seek to infuse our online spaces with the spirit of Lady Justice and Maat. This is not about recreating ancient debates but about aspiring to their intellectual rigor, the respectful exchange of ideas, and a commitment to truth. It’s about fostering an environment that encourages balanced, unbiased discourse amidst the deafening din of one-sided narratives. Only then can we hope to navigate the labyrinth of modern-day issues with the wisdom and justice that the ancients would deem worthy?