Error

In CF, an error is a reason an idea fails at a goal in a context. That is: an error is a refutation of an IGC.

This definition has several consequences:

1. Errors are relative to goals. Whether something is an error depends on what you're trying to do. A "wrong" turn while walking is an error if your goal is to reach the museum, but isn't an error if your goal was to wander.
2. Errors are contextual. The same idea can be in error in one context (the bridge is out) and not in error in another (the bridge is intact).
3. Errors are reasons, not bare facts. "I lost" is a fact, not an error; "I lost because I tripped on the third obstacle" is an error because it explains a failure at the goal.
4. Errors are the right unit for error correction. CF's learning method is to find errors and fix them, not to gather confirming evidence.

The error concept is central to practice in CF — Temple recommends getting good at spotting errors in everyday activities (videos, conversations, code reviews) before tackling big philosophical questions.

"An error is a reason an idea fails at a goal (in a context)." — criticalfallibilism.com