Post by Brittany Roberts on Mar 23, 2016 1:13:08 GMT
1. Why is understanding physics and the general rules of the universe so important in doing philosophy?
According to Merriam-Webster, physics can be defined as the branch of science that deals with matter and energy and the way they act on each other in heat, light, electricity, and sound. Philosophy, on the other hand, includes the study of ideas about knowledge, truth, the nature and meaning of life. These two go hand in hand as physics can scientifically answer questions while philosophy aids us in understanding those results. In other words, physics requires proof while philosophy does not. Albert Einstein's string theory may be an example of this as if it cannot be tested, then it is philosophy rather than physics (The Elegant Universe). Either way, it may be said that both physics and philosophy rely on one another. Without the questions being asked by philosophy and physics proving the answers, many theories would have never been created such as the quantum theory or the aforementioned string theory. It is possible that string theory will unlock one of the biggest mysteries of the universe, namely how gravity and quantum physics fit together, thus answering yet another question!
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 exist." In the film, it is said, "if phenomena can not be explained fully and comprehensibly by mathematics, then one turns to physics, then if that too is incomplete then to chemistry then to biology then to psychology then to sociology and if none of those subjects can explain it, then it's easy to say that God did it" (Eliminative Materialism). Put simply, if you want a certain outcome, A, and you believe that the best way to achieve A is by doing B, then you will do B. For example, if Native Americans wanted rain, they would pray to the rain Gods and do a rain dance in order to get rain. Yet we know now, and by means of science, that rain is a natural phenomena, just like snow and sunshine. However if you do not understand science, it is easier to just give whatever higher power you believe in the credit. The same can be said for the devil. For example, if a child acts out, one may believe that it is because they have the devil inside them-a far cry from what is truly going on in the development of the child however easy to say for someone who does not understand biology.
According to Merriam-Webster, physics can be defined as the branch of science that deals with matter and energy and the way they act on each other in heat, light, electricity, and sound. Philosophy, on the other hand, includes the study of ideas about knowledge, truth, the nature and meaning of life. These two go hand in hand as physics can scientifically answer questions while philosophy aids us in understanding those results. In other words, physics requires proof while philosophy does not. Albert Einstein's string theory may be an example of this as if it cannot be tested, then it is philosophy rather than physics (The Elegant Universe). Either way, it may be said that both physics and philosophy rely on one another. Without the questions being asked by philosophy and physics proving the answers, many theories would have never been created such as the quantum theory or the aforementioned string theory. It is possible that string theory will unlock one of the biggest mysteries of the universe, namely how gravity and quantum physics fit together, thus answering yet another question!
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 exist." In the film, it is said, "if phenomena can not be explained fully and comprehensibly by mathematics, then one turns to physics, then if that too is incomplete then to chemistry then to biology then to psychology then to sociology and if none of those subjects can explain it, then it's easy to say that God did it" (Eliminative Materialism). Put simply, if you want a certain outcome, A, and you believe that the best way to achieve A is by doing B, then you will do B. For example, if Native Americans wanted rain, they would pray to the rain Gods and do a rain dance in order to get rain. Yet we know now, and by means of science, that rain is a natural phenomena, just like snow and sunshine. However if you do not understand science, it is easier to just give whatever higher power you believe in the credit. The same can be said for the devil. For example, if a child acts out, one may believe that it is because they have the devil inside them-a far cry from what is truly going on in the development of the child however easy to say for someone who does not understand biology.