The 8 Axes of the Logic Spectrum

A detailed model adding dimensions of quantification and modality. Axis 1: Formal-Informal. Axis 2: Classical-Nonclassical. Axis 3: Deductive-Inductive. Axis 4: Monotonic-Nonmonotonic. Axis 5: Bivalent-Many-Valued. Axis 6: Truth-Preserving-Information-Preserving. Axis 7: First-Order-Higher-Order (quantification over individuals vs. over properties/functions). Axis 8: Extensional-Intensional (logic of truth values vs. logic of meanings/possibilities). These eight axes create 256 logical positions. Modal logic (necessity/possibility) is formal, nonclassical (in some classifications), deductive, monotonic, bivalent typically, truth-preserving, can be higher-order, intensional (deals with meanings across possible worlds). The 8 Axes demonstrate that the explosion of logical systems in the 20th century reflects different choices on these fundamental dimensions.

The 8 Axes of the Logic Spectrum "You think logic is just propositional calculus. The 8 Axes show that's one tiny point: formal, classical, deductive, monotonic, bivalent, truth-preserving, first-order, extensional. Modal logic changes intensional. Fuzzy logic changes many-valued. Nonmonotonic logic changes monotonic. The axes map the entire universe of logic—and you're still in the first galaxy."

by Dumu The Void February 25, 2026

The 8 Axes of the Knowledge Spectrum

A detailed model adding dimensions of subject matter and value. Axis 1: A Priori-A Posteriori. Axis 2: Propositional-Procedural. Axis 3: Personal-Communal. Axis 4: Explicit-Tacit. Axis 5: Certain-Fallible. Axis 6: Direct-Inferential. Axis 7: Empirical-Conceptual (knowledge of facts vs. knowledge of concepts/meanings). Axis 8: Instrumental-Intrinsic (knowledge for use vs. knowledge for its own sake). These eight axes create 256 knowledge positions. Scientific knowledge is a posteriori, propositional, communal, explicit, fallible, inferential, empirical, both instrumental and intrinsic. Philosophical knowledge is often a priori, propositional, personal (though debated), explicit, fallible (or certain in some views), inferential, conceptual, intrinsic. The 8 Axes demonstrate that knowledge isn't just about truth—it's about purpose, subject, and value.

The 8 Axes of the Knowledge Spectrum "You say knowledge is just facts. The 8 Axes ask: facts about what? Empirical facts (science) or conceptual facts (philosophy)? Facts for use (engineering) or for understanding (pure math)? The axes show that 'facts' are as varied as knowledge itself. Treating all knowledge as empirical facts for use is like treating all food as protein bars—nutritionally reductive and spiritually empty."

by Dumu The Void February 25, 2026

The 8 Axes of the Evidence Spectrum

A framework for evaluating evidence along eight key dimensions, providing a comprehensive map of where any piece of evidence falls. The 8 axes are: 1) Strength (how powerfully the evidence supports the claim), 2) Reliability (how trustworthy the source/method is), 3) Relevance (how directly the evidence addresses the claim), 4) Independence (how free the evidence is from conflict of interest), 5) Replicability (how consistently the finding can be reproduced), 6) Sample/Population Fit (how well the sample represents the population of interest), 7) Methodological Rigor (how well the study was designed and executed), and 8) Consilience (how well the evidence coheres with other established knowledge). These axes allow for nuanced evaluation rather than binary judgments.

The 8 Axes of the Evidence Spectrum Example: "They stopped arguing about whether the study was 'evidence' and started mapping it on the 8 axes. Strength: moderate. Reliability: high. Relevance: low (different population). Independence: questionable (industry funded). The axes showed where the evidence was strong and where it was weak—and why they disagreed about what it meant."

by Dumu The Void March 7, 2026

The 8 Axes of the Bullshit Spectrum

A framework for evaluating bullshit along eight key dimensions. The 8 axes are: 1) Truth-Indifference (how little the speaker cares about truth), 2) Evidence-Deficit (how unsupported the claim is), 3) Plausibility (how believable the claim is on its face), 4) Motivation (what the speaker gains from the bullshit), 5) Harm Potential (how much damage the bullshit can cause), 6) Virality (how likely it is to spread), 7) Resistance to Correction (how hard it is to debunk), and 8) Systemicity (whether it's isolated bullshit or part of a larger bullshit system). These axes allow for nuanced evaluation of bullshit, distinguishing between different types and degrees.

The 8 Axes of the Bullshit Spectrum *Example: "They stopped just calling things 'bullshit' and started mapping them on the 8 axes. The advertising claim was high on truth-indifference, low on harm potential. The conspiracy theory was high on everything—truth-indifference, harm, virality, resistance. The axes showed why one was annoying and the other dangerous—and why responding required different strategies."*

by Dumu The Void March 7, 2026

The 8 Axes of the Pseudophilosophy Spectrum

A framework for evaluating pseudophilosophy along eight key dimensions. The 8 axes are: 1) Argumentative Rigor (how well claims are supported), 2) Conceptual Clarity (how clear the concepts are), 3) Engagement with Tradition (how well it engages existing philosophy), 4) Originality (whether it offers something new or just rehashes), 5) Falsifiability (whether claims could be shown wrong), 6) Practical Implications (what follows from the philosophy), 7) Internal Consistency (whether it contradicts itself), and 8) Cultural Impact (how it functions in culture). These axes allow for distinguishing between different types of pseudophilosophy.

The 8 Axes of the Pseudophilosophy Spectrum *Example: "The self-help guru's 'philosophy' scored low on argumentative rigor and conceptual clarity, medium on cultural impact, high on practical implications. The 8 axes showed why it was popular (practical, impactful) and why it wasn't philosophy (no rigor, no clarity). The spectrum explained both its appeal and its emptiness."*

by Dumu The Void March 7, 2026

The 8 Axes of the Pseudotechnology Spectrum

A framework for evaluating pseudotechnology along eight key dimensions. The 8 axes are: 1) Working Prototype (whether it actually works), 2) Scientific Basis (whether it's grounded in established science), 3) Peer Review (whether it's been evaluated by experts), 4) Replicability (whether others can reproduce it), 5) Scalability (whether it can work at scale), 6) Economic Viability (whether it could be affordable), 7) Mechanism (whether we understand how it works), and 8) Track Record (whether it has any history of success). These axes allow for distinguishing between promising technology and pseudotechnology.

The 8 Axes of the Pseudotechnology Spectrum Example: "The 'free energy' device scored zero on every axis: no prototype, no science, no review, no replication, no mechanism. The 8 axes made the evaluation systematic, not just dismissive. Investors who used the spectrum saved their money; those who didn't lost it."

by Dumu The Void March 7, 2026

The 8 Axes of the Ordinary Spectrum

A framework for evaluating ordinariness along eight key dimensions. The 8 axes are: 1) Frequency (how often the phenomenon occurs), 2) Distribution (how widely it occurs across populations), 3) Expectation (how much it's anticipated), 4) Cultural Normalization (how culturally accepted it is), 5) Historical Precedent (whether it's happened before), 6) Explanatory Framework (how well understood it is), 7) Personal Experience (whether the individual has encountered it), and 8) Contextual Fit (how well it fits the immediate context). These axes allow for nuanced evaluation of whether something is ordinary, rather than binary judgments.

The 8 Axes of the Ordinary Spectrum Example: "They debated whether remote work was 'ordinary' now. The 8 axes showed why it was complicated: frequency (high now), distribution (varies by industry), expectation (growing), cultural normalization (still contested), historical precedent (low), explanatory framework (well understood), personal experience (depends), contextual fit (depends on job). The axes explained the debate: it was ordinary in some dimensions, not in others."

by Dumu The Void March 7, 2026