Is the same evidence the same for everyone?

The options

The order shown is not a ranking of preference.

1. Option 1

   Translate into a single common format

   Creates material for discussion under a common standard, but differences of a particular sense may be dropped in translation.

2. Option 2

   Provide raw material matched to each sense

   Leaves each student a chance to observe directly, but weakens the channel for checking one another's observations.

3. Option 3

   Include cross-interpretation and comparison in the class

   Treats differences in observation as learning, but requires more time and support in multiple formats.

The situation as it stands

The assumed students have different bodily senses, so they experience the same object in different formats. Decision deadline: within 1 year, by the time of the common inquiry process.

Synthetic future scenario set in 2290 · The same evidence is shown to students with different senses. The events, figures, technologies, and nature of the civilization are assumptions for the question, not predictions of the future or observed facts.

1. Premise 1The assumed students have different bodily senses, so they experience the same object in different formats.
2. Premise 2Translating into one form makes comparison easy, but important differences of the original sense may be lost.
3. Premise 3Giving material in each sense improves each student's access, but makes it hard to examine other people's observations.

Where it holdsDifferent bodily senses, common evidence, learning access

What is still unknown

1. Unknown 1Observational elements lost in translation
2. Unknown 2Cases of reaching the same conclusion by different routes
3. Unknown 3The ability to change the class when a new sensory format is introduced

Signals to decide again

• Define what observations, responsible parties, and confirmation channels will verify 'observational elements lost in translation,' and rejudge when new checks change the tradeoffs among the options.
• Define what observations, responsible parties, and confirmation channels will verify 'cases of reaching the same conclusion by different routes,' and rejudge when new checks change the tradeoffs among the options.
• Define what observations, responsible parties, and confirmation channels will verify 'the ability to change the class when a new sensory format is introduced,' and rejudge when new checks change the tradeoffs among the options.