Topic #3 (two essays)

Tiana Wilson
Phil 5
Professor Lane
May 17, 2015

Topic #3

Why is understanding physics and the general rules of the universe so important in doing philosophy?

     Philosophy is a wide spreading subject that touches many different subjects, ranging from
mathematic to science. “Physics concern what is said about nature” (Lane). Physics
“knowledge of nature,” is the natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion
through space and time, a-long with related concepts such as energy and force. All the new ideas
in physics often can explain many of the fundamental mechanisms of their sciences while
opening a number of new avenues of research in areas such as mathematics and philosophy. In
many ways can see how physics stems from the ancient Greek philosophies. Physics use to be
known as natural philosophy during the 18th century, but in the 19th century, it was recognized as
discipline distinct from philosophy and other sciences.
     

     Physics, also with other sciences, rely on philosophy of science to give and adequate
description of the scientific methods understanding physics and the general rules of the universe
is very (extremely) important, because it can, impact how a philosopher thinking therefore
impacting their theories. The development of physics, has answered a large number of questions
of the early philosopher, but has raised new questions. Studies of the philosophical issues
surrounding physics, the philosophy of physics, involves issues such as the nature of space and
time, determinism, and metaphysical outlooks such as empiricism, naturalism, and realism.

What is eliminative materialism?

     Eliminative materialism (also called eliminativism) is a material isn’t position in the
philosophy of the mind. The claim is that people’s common sense of understanding of the mind
(or folk psychology) can be false and of course, certain classes of mental states that people
believe in do not exist. “When something cannot be explained by mathematic or science,
scientist turn to physics, then to chemistry, then to biology, then to psychology, then to
sociology, if these disciplines can’t provide the answer, they would say jokingly that it is
perfectly all right to say God did it” (video Eliminative Materialism part 1).

     Some eliminativists say that there are no coherent neutral basis that will be found for many
everyday psychological concept, such as belief of desire, because they are poorly definded.
“Replacing the old concepts from the pass with new terminology which reflects the new found
understanding of body and universe at large. Instead of talking about Thor, the thunder God,
they talked about electrical magnetic current, or spirits as cause of diseases, they talked about
bacteria and viruses, or ghost pulling this or that muscle, they talked about the nervous system,
or in Sun they got rid of the Gods for more accurate physical explanation hince the term
eliminative materialism” (video Eliminative Materalism part 2).
For example, (1) other versions entail the non-existence of conscious mental state such as
pain and visual perception. (2) Eliminativism about a class of entities is the view that that class
of entities does not exist. (3) All forms of materialism are eliminstivist about the soul; modern
chemist are eliminstivist about philogiston; and modern physicist are eliminatist about the
existence of luminifeous. Eliminative materialism is the relatively new (1960-70’s) idea that
certain classes of mental entities that common sense takes for granted, such as beliefs, desire, and
the subjective sensation of pain, do not exist. The most common versions are eliminstivism
about propositional attitude, as expressed by Paul and Patrcia Churchland, and eliminativism
about subjective experience), as expressed by Daniel Dennett and George Rey.

Sources: Video “The Eliminative Materialism part 1”
Video “The Eliminative Materalism part 2”