Post by April Johnson on May 9, 2015 5:17:07 GMT
1. Why is understanding physics and the general rules of the universe so important in doing philosophy?
The Ancient Greek word philosophia was likely coned by Pythagoras and literally means “love of wisdom” according to Jenny Teichmann and Katherine C. Evans, Philosophy: A Beginner's Guide (Blackwell Publishing, 1999), p. 1: "Philosophy is a study of problems which are ultimate, abstract and very general. These problems are concerned with the nature of existence, knowledge, morality, reason and human purpose." I believe it is important to understand physics and the general rules of the universe because philosophy attempts to understand because it gives us a basis for our thoughts and understandings.
2. What is eliminative materialism? Provide three examples of it.
According to the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy Eliminative materialism is “the radical claim that our ordinary, common-sense understanding of the mind is deeply wrong and that some or all of the mental states posited by common-sense do not actually exists”. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy further states “Eliminative materialists argue that the central tenets of folk psychology radically misdescribe cognitive processes; consequently, the posits of folk psychology pick out nothing that is real” In The Great Mystery Matter vs. Spirit eliminative materialism is discussed at great length. In the video The Death of Thor we see how at one time it was believed that thunder was caused by a God and now we know the scientific cause behind thunder. One great example given is that at one time in history it was generally believed ghosts and spirits entered into bodies causing pain and illness; we are now much more likely to talk about bacteria and viruses making us sick. Astrology is also a “folk psychology” and certain emotional aspects that are used as justifications for human behavior like hope, faith, desire, motivation, and fear.1. Why is understanding physics and the general rules of the universe so important in doing philosophy?
The Ancient Greek word philosophia was likely coned by Pythagoras and literally means “love of wisdom” according to Jenny Teichmann and Katherine C. Evans, Philosophy: A Beginner's Guide (Blackwell Publishing, 1999), p. 1: "Philosophy is a study of problems which are ultimate, abstract and very general. These problems are concerned with the nature of existence, knowledge, morality, reason and human purpose." I believe it is important to understand physics and the general rules of the universe because philosophy attempts to understand because it gives us a basis for our thoughts and understandings.
2. What is eliminative materialism? Provide three examples of it.
According to the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy Eliminative materialism is “the radical claim that our ordinary, common-sense understanding of the mind is deeply wrong and that some or all of the mental states posited by common-sense do not actually exists”. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy further states “Eliminative materialists argue that the central tenets of folk psychology radically misdescribe cognitive processes; consequently, the posits of folk psychology pick out nothing that is real” In The Great Mystery Matter vs. Spirit eliminative materialism is discussed at great length. In the video The Death of Thor we see how at one time it was believed that thunder was caused by a God and now we know the scientific cause behind thunder. One great example given is that at one time in history it was generally believed ghosts and spirits entered into bodies causing pain and illness; we are now much more likely to talk about bacteria and viruses making us sick. Astrology is also a “folk psychology” and certain emotional aspects that are used as justifications for human behavior like hope, faith, desire, motivation, and fear.1. Why is understanding physics and the general rules of the universe so important in doing philosophy?