Post by C. Snell on May 10, 2015 23:53:16 GMT
1. Why is understanding physics and the general rules of the universe so important in doing philosophy?
Having an understanding of physics allows a philosopher to satisfy their innate curiosity of understanding nature. Aristotle is believed to have felt that human kind grew in wisdom and knowledge and this sprang from an inquiring mind, an eagerness to know how nature worked. Attempting to understand the conundrums of nature and human perception was the foundation of early philosophy (as stated in the film History of Western Philosophy, Part 1). As more was understood about our existence and the relationship of matter in nature, philosophers had a foundation from which to consider the hows and whys of our existence and our role in the universe. As quantum physicists hypothesized that the best way to understand how we came to be here, “We should remind the film backwards,” as Brian Greene said in the documentary Elegant Universe. Philosophers have used the same line of thinking for centuries. Additionally, physics lends itself to innumerous questions and theories, that beg for curious minds to explore and make relatable to human existences. I agree with Socrates in thinking that humans are here to ask questions and seek answers – that is the essence of human life. Using physics to find answer and develop questions is what we are here to do and cannot help but to do.
2. What is eliminative materialism? Provide three examples of it.
Eliminative Materialism is using different domains of science to determine causation of natural phenomenon. Subsequently, discarding old philosophies or early scientific claims that have become obsolete. A few examples of eliminative materialism are:
According the Wikipedia article Malay Ghost Myths, in the Indonesian culture, the idea of childbirth-spirits came into belief due high infant mortality rates. It was believed that there are spirits related to childbirth. Malignant spirits are believed to be the spirits of still-born babies, which prey on infants. Science would likely related the high infant mortality rate to a lack of prenatal care or advanced medicine.
In Greek culture, the stars and constellations were believed to be God-favored heroes and beast that were conscious living beings that traveled around the sky. In actuality they are stars. Huge balls of burning gases, traveling in a predictable pattern due to the forces of gravity. Early humans lacked this knowledge and attributed the beauty of the night sky to the Gods and a glimpse into heaven.
There was also the time where people thought that the sun revolved around the Earth. Also, the notion that the Earth was flat. These were all at one time believed to be reasonable hypothesis, until Magellan and Galileo came along and presented new theories that would vastly change the way we thought about the universe.
Having an understanding of physics allows a philosopher to satisfy their innate curiosity of understanding nature. Aristotle is believed to have felt that human kind grew in wisdom and knowledge and this sprang from an inquiring mind, an eagerness to know how nature worked. Attempting to understand the conundrums of nature and human perception was the foundation of early philosophy (as stated in the film History of Western Philosophy, Part 1). As more was understood about our existence and the relationship of matter in nature, philosophers had a foundation from which to consider the hows and whys of our existence and our role in the universe. As quantum physicists hypothesized that the best way to understand how we came to be here, “We should remind the film backwards,” as Brian Greene said in the documentary Elegant Universe. Philosophers have used the same line of thinking for centuries. Additionally, physics lends itself to innumerous questions and theories, that beg for curious minds to explore and make relatable to human existences. I agree with Socrates in thinking that humans are here to ask questions and seek answers – that is the essence of human life. Using physics to find answer and develop questions is what we are here to do and cannot help but to do.
2. What is eliminative materialism? Provide three examples of it.
Eliminative Materialism is using different domains of science to determine causation of natural phenomenon. Subsequently, discarding old philosophies or early scientific claims that have become obsolete. A few examples of eliminative materialism are:
According the Wikipedia article Malay Ghost Myths, in the Indonesian culture, the idea of childbirth-spirits came into belief due high infant mortality rates. It was believed that there are spirits related to childbirth. Malignant spirits are believed to be the spirits of still-born babies, which prey on infants. Science would likely related the high infant mortality rate to a lack of prenatal care or advanced medicine.
In Greek culture, the stars and constellations were believed to be God-favored heroes and beast that were conscious living beings that traveled around the sky. In actuality they are stars. Huge balls of burning gases, traveling in a predictable pattern due to the forces of gravity. Early humans lacked this knowledge and attributed the beauty of the night sky to the Gods and a glimpse into heaven.
There was also the time where people thought that the sun revolved around the Earth. Also, the notion that the Earth was flat. These were all at one time believed to be reasonable hypothesis, until Magellan and Galileo came along and presented new theories that would vastly change the way we thought about the universe.
