Post by kolton martin on Jul 7, 2015 17:12:21 GMT
TWO ESSAY QUESTIONS REQUIRED: 1. Why is understanding physics and the general rules of the universe so important in doing philosophy? 2. What is eliminative materialism? Provide three examples of it.
Understanding physics and the general rules of the universe is very important in understanding and doing philosophy. As Professor Lane stated in this weeks video, to fully understand philosophy you need to also understand other subjects, such as chemistry, physics, sociology, geometry, and biology. "Physics is the branch of science concerned with the nature and properties of matter and energy. The subject matter of physics, distinguished from that of chemistry and biology, includes mechanics, heat, light and other radiation, sound, electricity, magnetism, and the structure of atoms". "Philosophy is the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence, especially when considered as an academic discipline". Although these are very different from one another, when used together, they can be very effective in solving some of the worlds greatest questions.
Eliminative materialism is a system for solving questions, "If the phenomenon can not be explained fully and comprehensively by mathematics then one turns to physics, if that to is incomplete, then to chemistry, then to biology, then to psychology, then to sociology. There is an old joke that if none of these subjects can solve the question, it is fine to say, "Well, God did it". An example of eliminative materialism we have used throughout history is replacing our old mythic beliefs with more accurate terminology, such as, instead of talking about Thor the thunder god, we talked about electrical magnetic currents. Instead of blaming spirits for the cause of sickness and disease, we talked about bacteria and viruses. People in the past use to have beliefs that Thor was the cause of thunder, and spirits the cause of sickness, and ghosts the cause of muscle movement. Now that we have advanced in science, and by using eliminative materialism, we now know the real causes of these things.
Understanding physics and the general rules of the universe is very important in understanding and doing philosophy. As Professor Lane stated in this weeks video, to fully understand philosophy you need to also understand other subjects, such as chemistry, physics, sociology, geometry, and biology. "Physics is the branch of science concerned with the nature and properties of matter and energy. The subject matter of physics, distinguished from that of chemistry and biology, includes mechanics, heat, light and other radiation, sound, electricity, magnetism, and the structure of atoms". "Philosophy is the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence, especially when considered as an academic discipline". Although these are very different from one another, when used together, they can be very effective in solving some of the worlds greatest questions.
Eliminative materialism is a system for solving questions, "If the phenomenon can not be explained fully and comprehensively by mathematics then one turns to physics, if that to is incomplete, then to chemistry, then to biology, then to psychology, then to sociology. There is an old joke that if none of these subjects can solve the question, it is fine to say, "Well, God did it". An example of eliminative materialism we have used throughout history is replacing our old mythic beliefs with more accurate terminology, such as, instead of talking about Thor the thunder god, we talked about electrical magnetic currents. Instead of blaming spirits for the cause of sickness and disease, we talked about bacteria and viruses. People in the past use to have beliefs that Thor was the cause of thunder, and spirits the cause of sickness, and ghosts the cause of muscle movement. Now that we have advanced in science, and by using eliminative materialism, we now know the real causes of these things.