Knowledge, Epistemology

Chesterton fences everywhere

Readers might recall GK Chesterton's famous fence, a warning against the destruction of existing systems without first understanding their purpose: There exists in such a case a certain institution or law; let us say, for the sake of simplicity, a fence or gate erected across a road. The more modern type of reformer goes gaily up to it and says, “I don’t see the use of this; let us clear it away.” To which the more…