Re:Ask HN: What is the first thing you implement at a new co...
by jkingsbery on Wednesday June 20, 2018 @08:49AM
(#17354856)
No, the point of Chesterton's fence isn't presuming there is a reason:
> 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 intelligent type of reformer will do well to answer: "If you don't see the use of it, I certainly won't let you clear it away. Go away and think. Then, when you can come back and tell me that you do see the use of it, I may allow you to destroy it."
The point is that there might be a reason, and before careful consideration we won't understand what that might be.
> 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 intelligent type of reformer will do well to answer: "If you don't see the use of it, I certainly won't let you clear it away. Go away and think. Then, when you can come back and tell me that you do see the use of it, I may allow you to destroy it."
The point is that there might be a reason, and before careful consideration we won't understand what that might be.