my formalization dream: a brief description

[gusl]

What is a formal theory?

It's one which is easily validated by checking step-by-step without using a theorem prover.
And my dream is that argumentation in all its forms (whether mathematical, scientific or philosophical) be put into this form. Of course, this is a dream I believe to be logically possible... I don't have illogical dreams. But not only that: I also believe it's feasible. But this could be my naive optimism.

Am I being greedily reductionistic?

Please criticize my view.

Comments

The Problem With Formalism...

[fare.livejournal.com]

The problem with any formalism is matching the formalism with reality. Reality is zillions of small factors. Our tiny brains can only apprehend it with a few coarse concepts. The matching cannot possibly be perfect, whenever we are to argue complex phenomena (as opposed to simple general rules considered independently from any application). Mismatch between formalism and reality is a big resource for fallacies. For a simple case, see e.g. my deconstruction of the common use of game theory as a justification for the State, in Public Goods Fallacies; I'm sure you can find arbitrarily complex cases.

Re: The Problem With Formalism...

[gustavolacerda.livejournal.com]

My goal is rather an AI goal: I only hope to formalize conceptual framerworks, theories, procedures, etc(create formalisms) as far humans (informally) reason with them.

Our tiny brains can only apprehend it with a few coarse concepts.
My goal is simply to formalize these concepts and the processes through which we reason. It's not as ambitious as the general scientific enterprise you describe.

Mismatch between formalism and reality is a big resource for fallacies.
The *informality* is the source of many fallacies. Or at least it allows them.