Post by tracyorigel on Mar 6, 2016 23:33:04 GMT
1. Why is understanding physics and the general rules of the universe so important in doing philosophy?
Understanding physics is so important in doing philosophy because it can shape the way we see our reality. Physics is an area that puts explanation to our universe, rather helps us better understand how our universe works. When Einstein discovered the Theory of General Relativity it changed the way people saw the universe. The Newtonian idea of gravity had been reshaped, rather than seeing gravity as this fast force that could have instant ramifications should our sun disappear, Einstein explained that nothing could be faster than light, because light travelled fastest (Greene). Einstein viewed our universe as one of order, when that order was challenged by Quantum Mechanics (Lane, 11). Should physicist figure out a way to bridge these two different ideas and create one Grand Theory of Everything, philosophically it would change the way we interpret the world and ourselves. The more knowledge we understand and reveal about our universe the more we question our own beliefs and what we thought we knew about the universe.
2. What is eliminative materialism? Provide three examples of it. Be sure to support your answers with references to the required readings and films.
Eliminative Materialism, as stated in Part II of Eliminative Materialism by neuralsurfer, would be humanity’s discovery of germ theory. For a long time illness was attributed to the existence of spirits that would inflict ill omen onto human beings, thus making them sick. However, when people were able to grasp that it was bacteria, not spirits, which made people sick they were able to set a foundation for modern medicine. The belief in these spirits was long in the past, an eliminated thought replaced with reason. Another example would be the Thor, god of thunder, the more people inquired into electricity and magnetism the less they believed that this Thor was responsible for it. The video also talks about tiny ghosts pulling on our body, but the discovery of our central nervous system explained the real reason our body would twitch or our muscles contracted. When people find a reason for something they are able to replace myth with fact and as result, provide future generations with deeper insight. The only limitation for eliminative materialism seems to be on the human mind itself, which people have trouble breaking down to simple brain function and scientific explanation. They’d much rather see the mind as something complex that can’t be broken down with science, this idea of a consciousness and of free will or as “the [Paul and Patricia] Churchland’s point out, resorted more or less to folk psychology…” (neuralsurfer)
References:
Lane, David C., and Andrea Diem-Lane. Quantum Weirdness: Einstein vs. Bohr. Walnut: MSAC Philosophy Group, 2014. PDF.
Neuralsurfer. "Eliminative Materialism: The Death of Thor, PART TWO."YouTube. YouTube. Web. 06 Mar. 2016.
Neuralsurfer. "Eliminative Materialism: Intelligent Reductionism, PART THREE."YouTube. YouTube. Web. 06 Mar. 2016.
Greene, Brian. "The Elegant Universe." PBS. PBS. Web. 06 Mar. 2016.
Understanding physics is so important in doing philosophy because it can shape the way we see our reality. Physics is an area that puts explanation to our universe, rather helps us better understand how our universe works. When Einstein discovered the Theory of General Relativity it changed the way people saw the universe. The Newtonian idea of gravity had been reshaped, rather than seeing gravity as this fast force that could have instant ramifications should our sun disappear, Einstein explained that nothing could be faster than light, because light travelled fastest (Greene). Einstein viewed our universe as one of order, when that order was challenged by Quantum Mechanics (Lane, 11). Should physicist figure out a way to bridge these two different ideas and create one Grand Theory of Everything, philosophically it would change the way we interpret the world and ourselves. The more knowledge we understand and reveal about our universe the more we question our own beliefs and what we thought we knew about the universe.
2. What is eliminative materialism? Provide three examples of it. Be sure to support your answers with references to the required readings and films.
Eliminative Materialism, as stated in Part II of Eliminative Materialism by neuralsurfer, would be humanity’s discovery of germ theory. For a long time illness was attributed to the existence of spirits that would inflict ill omen onto human beings, thus making them sick. However, when people were able to grasp that it was bacteria, not spirits, which made people sick they were able to set a foundation for modern medicine. The belief in these spirits was long in the past, an eliminated thought replaced with reason. Another example would be the Thor, god of thunder, the more people inquired into electricity and magnetism the less they believed that this Thor was responsible for it. The video also talks about tiny ghosts pulling on our body, but the discovery of our central nervous system explained the real reason our body would twitch or our muscles contracted. When people find a reason for something they are able to replace myth with fact and as result, provide future generations with deeper insight. The only limitation for eliminative materialism seems to be on the human mind itself, which people have trouble breaking down to simple brain function and scientific explanation. They’d much rather see the mind as something complex that can’t be broken down with science, this idea of a consciousness and of free will or as “the [Paul and Patricia] Churchland’s point out, resorted more or less to folk psychology…” (neuralsurfer)
References:
Lane, David C., and Andrea Diem-Lane. Quantum Weirdness: Einstein vs. Bohr. Walnut: MSAC Philosophy Group, 2014. PDF.
Neuralsurfer. "Eliminative Materialism: The Death of Thor, PART TWO."YouTube. YouTube. Web. 06 Mar. 2016.
Neuralsurfer. "Eliminative Materialism: Intelligent Reductionism, PART THREE."YouTube. YouTube. Web. 06 Mar. 2016.
Greene, Brian. "The Elegant Universe." PBS. PBS. Web. 06 Mar. 2016.