Is it possible to prove statements? Prima facie it seems that it is possible to prove statements. Viz. there are numerous proofs in the field of mathematics. For example Pi is proven irrational in natural language.
Proving seems to occur at a ontological level however. Proofs occur in rational systems and even in these systems proofs can not be said to be intrinsic. That is to say proofs arise from axiomas. Within the boundaries of Euclidean geometry a triangle’s angles always add up to 180 degrees.
In other worlds such as hyperbolic geometries this is not the case. Now this seems to mean that metaphysical inquiry into knowledge systems is valuable since finding common characteristics could at minimum tell us something about commonalities in human ways of thought.
This thought experiment shows how rational thought interconnects with structuralist theories of mind. In destructuralist theories episteme is not bound to form i.e. “everything goes.” as Feyerabend discusses in his Against method.
One wonders what on a macrosocietal level the consequences would be if Academics would accept the premise that system-thinking intrinsically undermines knowledge creation.
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