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Post by misarea on Jun 29, 2015 0:24:47 GMT
Website: mtsacphilcourse.wordpress.comWeek 1 Essays: Why was Socrates sentenced to death? 2. Why is there a conflict (for some) between science and religion?The main charges against Socrates was that he “corrupted the youth,” did not believe in God, and created new gods. In a society built on order, these charges were deemed highly offensive and serious. Socrates’ defense speech attempts to support his actions versus apologize to the court and people. He likens himself to the gadfly, having tried to “wake up” the people of Athens from their mundane and robotic actions of simply accepting societal law and order versus questioning ideology and thinking for themselves. He is narrowly sentenced to death, a death he chooses of drinking poison. Ironically, he also mentions that he is not afraid of death. He is merely concerned on whether or not he is right or wrong in his actions. He claims, "death may be a great blessing, but many people fear it as an evil when they cannot possibly know it to be such." He stands firm in his actions of "corruption," saying that even despite knowing the ultimate consequence of his actions, it should not "absolve" one from continuing to spread truth and wisdom. 2. Why is there a conflict (for some) between science and religion? The death of Socrates calls into question the conflict between science and religion. Why do both seem to clash so consistently? Why was Socrates’ charges seen as repulsive and horrendous enough to end his life? The answer comes down to matter, everything and anything around us that takes up space. Yet, in short, we do not fully understand the essence of matter or how it came to be. As written in The Great Mystery “The limits of our skull are the limits of our understanding.” (Lane 12). This is why religion has such a powerful influence. It provides an answer, the answer of mystery, that seems to soothe one’s mental dilemma of life and its purpose. Yet, what science does is call into question some of these “mysteries” and attempts to provide a materialistic solution. Similar to the plight of Socrates, those who seek religion do so to provide meaning and order in life. Having any scientific reasoning threatens this sense of order and causes one to take on a more questionable approach to life. |
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Post by misarea on Jun 29, 2015 0:25:33 GMT
Week 2 Essays:
Why is understanding physics and the general rules of the universe so important in doing philosophy? What is eliminative materialism? Provide three examples of it.
Philosophy is the study of problems within the universe, dealing with reason, mind, and ultimately, the meaning of life. Physics involves the study of matter, the very thing that composes everything and anything that takes up space. Yet the idea of matter, itself, is a concept, a theory. Therefore, "we cannot unlock nature as nature." (Quantum Weirdness) Matter is the mysterious aura that has created our world. Thus, philosophy comes into play. If everything is made of up something, there are hundreds, thousands, millions of "unknowns" at the core. This is the basis of string theory, or, the “theory of everything.” This theory hypothesizes that everything is made of strings of energy. However, this theory is still considered to be in its immature stage, leaving a world of mystery still among us. Philosophy helps provide meaning and theories to those mysteries to help the human mind better understand life itself.
What is eliminative materialism? Provide three examples of it.
Eliminative materialism is the process of understanding something via elimination of certain aspects of science. If physics doesn't work, try sociology, then biology, and so on. The age-old saying of this philosophical belief is that if something cannot be explained academically, then "God did it." But by utilizing this method, "constructed realities" are in a way, debunked. For instance, as mentioned in Eliminative Materialism: The Death of Thor Part II three examples include the concept of Thor being replaced with the role of electromagnetic currents, the illness is a result of spirits is replaced with the knowledge of bacteria, and finally, the notion that otherworldly phenomena control one's heart and muscles, the central nervous system comes into play. This begins the transition into the unending science vs. religion debate. Yet, as mentioned in Eliminative Materialism Part III, this process somehow skips our own understanding of ourselves. Emotional concepts, such as anger and love, thus are used to explain human behavior. These terms and ideas are, despite popular belief, not scientific explanations of anatomy. So while we can use the eliminative materialism process to uncover the reasonings behind everyday occurrences, we still tend to lean towards folk psychology when it comes to ourselves.
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Post by misarea on Jun 29, 2015 0:26:07 GMT
Week 3 Essays:
Why is the theory of evolution so important in understanding how human beings behave? Which questions do you think evolutionary theory cannot answer?
The concept of evolution involves various concepts that illustrate how human beings came to be at this present moment. Charles Darwin is credited with this lengthy explanation. In short, humans evolved via the process of natural selection. This process explains how we, as humans, have evolved and survived up till this point. On a more philosophical standpoint, with evolution comes an evolving neural system, one that includes the conscience and sub conscience mind. In order to continue survival, we devise probabilities of chance and circumstance. Yet such awareness is only the first step to survival, as the conscience mind is invisible and imaginary. As Edelman stated, “it confers a dramatic Darwinian advantage because simulations allow for better odds in our ultimate reactions to whatever stimuli or information we encounter.” (Lane 24) It allows one to create a reality beyond the physical world necessary for adaptation and survival.
Which questions do you think evolutionary theory cannot answer?
Yet, some questions cannot be answer by evolutionary theory. For example,How exactly did sexual reproduction originate? Darwin’s theory of natural selection incorporates the importance of sexual reproduction and how it continues the cycle of evolution, yet how it originated among asexual organisms still remains unsolved. Another question evolutionary theory cannot answer is, do animals have conscienceless as well? If humans use conscience to evolve, how do animals evolve with/without the same “benefit?” Finally, one major evolutionary conundrum, as briefly touched by the film, considers suicide. If evolution is a process to promote survival, how is suicidal behavior selected? In The Evolutionary Imperative, the Myth of Sisyphus is mentioned. This myth tells the story about a man doomed to forever be rolling a rock up a mountain only to have it fall back down from its own weight. This myth aimed to illustrate the unbearable circumstance of hopelessness and doomed successes. Here is where philosophy comes into play. Suicide is the “fundamental” question philosophy poses. If one was condemned to a life of failure, would life be worth living?
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Post by misarea on Jun 29, 2015 1:46:57 GMT
Week 4 Essays:
Explain the virtual simulation theory of consciousness. How does the brain trick us and for what benefit is it for our genetic survival?
The virtual simulation theory of consciousness attempts to explain the role of the human conscience. According to Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection, living things evolve via adaptation, acquiring the necessary traits and functions needed to continue survival. The ultimate goal for all is continued survival. With consciousness, one is able to disassociate from the physical world and play out alternative scenarios mentally. Doing so prevents the possibly deathly consequences of acting out these scenarios. “Being within survives. Being without tends to end up dead.” (DNA of Consciousness )
How does the brain trick us and for what benefit is it for our genetic survival?
Through consciousness and the apparent simulation it creates, we are essentially tricked into thinking that we have the advantage towards survival by playing out and mentally engaging it alternative scenarios. The concept of “chance” becomes malleable, creating a seemingly beneficial gain for us, the thinkers. Why this is an illusion is due to the fact that consciousness is not reality, it is not part of the physical, bodily world. While one can construct endless amounts of chances, they are simply just that—imagination. However, this is not to say that such simulations have no role in the real world, for consciousness, itself, is part of the adaptation factor of natural selection. Therefore, not all of the probabilities of stimuli predictions construed are failures. “Consciousness could never have survived the brutal machinations of natural selection unless it was somewhat accurate in how it modeled its exterior environment.” (DNA of Consciousness )
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Post by misarea on Jun 30, 2015 23:10:06 GMT
Week 5 Essays:
Do you think artificial intelligence will be a significant problem in the future?
I think artificial intelligence will be a significant problem in the future. Currently, technological advancements are having dire consequences, some that many are oblivious to. Our personal thinking and understanding is too slow to match the speed of the exponential growth of artificial intelligence. While it has its many and extensive benefits and advantages, at times, they seem to overshadow the problematic and dangerous possibilities that may occur. As Ray Kurzweil mentioned, the same bio-techonologies that we use to today can be abused. The powers of these technological advancements are growing beyond our control at an incredible rate. This is not to say that it will be the cause for the destruction of society. Kurzweil also mentions that we have the tools to defend ourselves and control the AI from complete anarchy. Technology is a double edged sword. With his example of google glass, Lane writes questions readers, " Are we ready for full and uncensored frontal lobe exposure?" The question stems from the apparent route technology and artificial intelligence is taking. With the obvious privacy infringements AI is taking, we, as humans, are not ready for such exposure. We are designed to have secrets and a sense of privacy. The extensive creations of drones and other GPI devices has overstepped these innate boundaries. While we may not be consciously aware of this, the future could possibly "awaken" us when it is too late. The ultimate question we must ask as a whole is, are we ready?
How has technology impacted your life?
Technology has greatly impacted my life and, I believe, is currently is acting as an extension of myself, something that I am sure the majority of society experiences. The appropriate term for this phenomena is "zombie consciousness." Like zombies, we are experiencing a lifeless approach to reality via technology. It baffles me how one can go into a restaurant or cafe and see the majority of patrons engaged in their cellphones, even with company sitting across from them. I will admit, I have found myself in the same situation. But stepping back and consciously assessing this common occurrence, it is incredible to see how we are disconnecting from reality in order to step into the world of artificial intelligence. There are now statistics of people who have gotten hit by cars as a result from texting while walking. Phone calling is seen as taboo while texting is the norm. Prior to leaving the house, it is crucial that one has their phone. It is a security blanket. "We are constantly reminded of the 'death of the subject' and told repeatedly that we are basically walking corpses with a computer on top." (Digital)
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Post by misarea on Jul 8, 2015 0:17:59 GMT
Week 6 Essays:
Why is Faqir Chand's experiences important in understanding the projective nature of religious visions and miracles?
Faqir Chand believed that “ no experience could capture or contain the transcendental mystery of Being.” (The Unknowing Sage) While he did state that he would engage in meditative states of awareness, he did not believe in the omnipresence that gurus were advertising to their people. Rather, he believed that any spiritual awakenings were merely a result of one’s inner development. He did not believe in miracles and claimed, “they were the products of either the devotee’s previous karma or intense faith.” (The Unknowing Sage) To Chand, spirituality was simply the clearing of one’s mind and total awareness of the world around them. By following Chand’s mindset regarding spirituality, one begins to understand that the foundation of religion is unknowingness. It transfers from an idea of unexplained phenomena to one that involves more concrete and scientific reasonings. Religion, to Chand, was purely an act of illusions constructed by one’s mind, or more scientifically, one’s brain.
What is meant by the phrase, "philosophy done well is science; philosophy done poorly remains philosophy."
The study of philosophy involves the creation and formation of theories and hypotheses. It aims to provide answers to unexplained questions. When done “well,” evidence and research supports the theory in question. When done “poorly,” the theory in question remains just that—a theory, an unproven conjecture that has yet to be tested or supported. As quoted in The Remainder Conjecture, the “remainder conjecture” stresses that “we exhaust any and all physical explanations first before succumbing to…’the transcendental temptation.’” This “temptation” results in the continuation of a philosophical conjecture, as the product is usually a supernatural explanation. For example, earlier in the semester the correlation between Thor and lightning was mentioned. While many say that lightning is the result of the god Thor, scientists can prove of the natural phenomenon that occurs via an electrostatic discharge during a storm. Those that fall back on the Thor explanation have failed to do philosophy “well,” and have yielded to this transcendental temptation.
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Post by desireevallejo on Jul 8, 2015 20:02:19 GMT
Week 2 questions
Marissa, I do agree with you on the philosophy and on the point that explain what philosophy is and what it involves in the meaning of life. I also agree with that hypothesizes made up of strings of energy. She used good examples on explaining what eliminative materialism is and giving the three examples explaining in Part III in the Eliminative Materialism on understanding ourselves.
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Post by desireevallejo on Jul 8, 2015 20:21:05 GMT
week 3 questions response:
I agree and enjoy reading your opinion on theories and what you want to know further more dealing with theories. That is a good point you point out on “in order to continue survival, we devise probabilities and etc.…” We have to prepare for the future cause we have no idea what it holds for us and we just imagine it right now when we actually do not even know what really going to happen. I like the questions you want to know the answers too. What caught my eye was the suicidal behavior question. It scares me when people actually think that and I wonder how it was made up into this world.
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Post by qiangao on Aug 1, 2015 5:17:23 GMT
It is an interesting concept that you bring up artificial intelligence being a problem in the future because it has so much control over our lives. It really does have a lot of control over our lives, and there is not a whole lot we can do about it. We can try to avoid technology, but it is all around us. It is hard to avoid it because of that. I feel like there is no going backwards with it.
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