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Post by ronaldkkh on Jun 29, 2015 4:52:06 GMT
1. Why was Socrates sentenced to death?
Socrates was on trial and sentenced to death because he was found guilty of two charges against him- one that he corrupted the youth of Athens by his teachings, and he denied existence of Athens gods and invented new gods (2). Socrates’ philosophy was in general terms to question everything to find the truth. He questioned men who had a reputation of wisdom and demanded tireless argumentation and examination of basic ethical principles for the truth. Socrates’ philosophy was able to outmaneuver other thinkers’ of his time, so many thinkers saw him as a nuisance. The dissents of others eventually caused his execution.
Socrates was given a chance to exile , but he preferred to stand upon his own integrity and innocence (2). If he were to escape after being charged, he would be breaking the law which he has supported his whole life and his loyalty to the state (65). He also did not want to continue a life of injustice, if he were to escapes to other cities, he would live his life as a ‘corrupter’, he would violate his own teachings and compacts made earlier (72), and he could no longer practice philosophy, the discourses of justice and other virtues, because he would become a violator of these (73). If Socrates were to renounce his principles, he would rather die, so he gave his life for his ways of life.
Work Cited: (The Life of Socrates, 2012), How Socrates Died Walnut: MTSAC Philosophy group, 2015 print
2. Why is there a conflict (for some) between science and religion?
There are conflicts between science and religion in some reasons. Among these reasons, the main one is the "linguistic confusion over what the term 'matter' means and what it ultimately implies" (1). There is a general perception that science erodes the foundation of religious belief that science is based on observation of nature, which is based on facts, while religion is largely based on faith, which is not entirely explainable by facts. In any science field, general consensus can be reached on most fundamental science theories. Arguments among scientists exist at the frontiers of each area, where new discoveries are being interpreted and experimented, and eventually settled by evidence. On the other hand, religious beliefs are based more on teachings originated from human history through thousands of years. Different religions can hold diverse and sometimes conflicting beliefs concerning deity, humanity and the nature, can be proven or unproven. Religions are based on intellectual consideration than on experimental discoveries. Since there is a core difference between science and religion, conflict arises.
Worked Cited: Source: Lane, David. The Great Mystery, Matter vs. Spirit. Walnut: MSAC Philosophy Group; 2014
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Post by ronaldkkh on Jul 6, 2015 6:59:50 GMT
Week 2
1. Why is understanding Physics and the general rules of the universe so important in doing philosophy?
Philosophy is the study of fundamental nature of reality. However, it is known that human brains's understanding of reality is limited to senses and their brains are not ‘well adapted to understand either the very large or the very small’ (Quantum Weirdness). Since we are only able to understand reality through matter of facts from our senses, the use of physics can help us understand the universe and the reality. Physics is the study of matter, so it helps us understand reality by showing cause and effect of phenomena, so humans can obtain accurate terminology to understand how the universe actually works while doing philosophy beyond senses in a logically oriented way. Therefore, understanding philosophical truth needs the help of physics. In Quantum Weirdness, it states that “The observer, when he seems to himself to be observing a stone, is really, if physics is to be believed, observing the effects of the stone upon himself.” The use of physics contributes to our knowledge of doing philosophy, which helps us understand reality and is crucial in seeking philosophical truth beyond senses.
2. What is eliminative materialism? Provide three examples of it.
Eliminative Materialism explains that people's common sense understanding of the mind is false and certain states of mind do not even exist. In the past, we used to explain many phenomena that cannot be explained in acadamia as ‘God did it’. (Eliminative Materialism video). As we continue to improve in scientific knowledge, we can replace old concepts that explain phenomena that have been believed to be caused by God in the past with new and more accurate terminology and information. For example, ancient Greek Mythology explains that thunder was caused by the thunder god, but now we are able to explain that thunder is a result of electrical magnetic currents. The second example is that we no longer believe that diseases were punshiments from God but we know they are the cause of virus and bacterias. The last example is that people used to think that our movement was caused by tiny ghosts pulling our body, but now we know a central nervous system that causes our muscles to function. Eliminative Materialism is ‘reasons run large’, so we are able to change the way we used to think from mythology of God to logical reasoning.
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Post by ronaldkkh on Jul 31, 2015 18:59:15 GMT
Week 3
Why is the theory of evolution so important in understanding how human behind behave?
The theory of evolution is a cornerstone of modern biology because it explains how diversity in life comes about. All living things have a common ancestry, but a divergent future based on different factors the ancestor faced in its environment and the different ways that arose in its offspring to cope with these problems. The study of theory of evolution helps humans understand the origin of life in order to cope with the existing problems. For example, nowadays we have to cope with the disease, "HIV". The theory of evolution helps scientists understand the origins of HIV and get know that HIV and SIV are in the share of similar genome, the discovery helps scientists to narrow down their investigation for an effective HIV vaccine in the future. Another example is the drug development. The creation of anti-biotics is through the study of theory of evolution as well. The study of evolution theory helps humans with more resistance against diseases.
Which questions do you think evolutionary theory cannot answer?
I think that the evolutionary theory cannot answer the origin of universe. How did the earth come? The origin of the universe is a mystery to us. ‘Our brains didn’t evolve to understand the universe but to literally “eat” it’. (The DNA of Consciousness 32). The theory of evolution cannot explain how the earth begins because there is almost no evidence about the origin of universe for scientists to get started. Although we can trace back to the past with some present evidence, we cannot experiment or testify many objectives and phenomena with the limitation of information. In years, both successful claims and false claims have been made. For example, the Big Bang Theory explains that the universe once had an explosion caused particles of dust and rocks floating in space, but after tremendous years the dust and rocks happened to combine into bigger particles and eventually created the earth. However, the Big Bang Theory still cannot be proven true the lack of evidence, and there are still a lot of unanswered questions.
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Post by ronaldkkh on Jul 31, 2015 19:00:44 GMT
Week 4
1. Explain the virtual simulation theory of consciousness.
The theory of consciousness as a virtual simulator contends that our minds trick us that the physical things we see are real whereas these are just but illusions. According to this theory, what we regard as being real is actually a product of the brain’s neural activity, which attributes different forms to the external stimuli it gets. However, “because of its inclusivity and insular engineering …” the consciousness is also fooled into believing that the forms it has created are external to its mechanisms (MSAC Philosophy Group “Universe an App” 75). As explained in the video The Disneyland of Consciousness (2011) evidence of such simulation is the dreams we experience that are so vivid that we think of them being real until we are awakened. The characteristic of not recognizing that what we perceive is actually projections of our consciousness rather than the reality is critical to developing an effective consciousness since “the power and persuasiveness of any vision is equal to the degree that we believe them to be real” (Diem-Lane 16). As such, when our consciousness makes us believe that what we perceive is real, we are more inclined to believe that is the true state of affairs. However, the virtual simulation theory contests such perception of reality proposing that “the world we perceive around us is not as it appears [but is] a relative construct built upon a scaffolding of information bits that betray their real origin and causation” (Diem-Lane 2).
2. How does the brain trick us and for what benefit is it for our genetic survival?
The brain tricks us through various processes that we are usually not aware of when they occur. As noted in the book Is the Universe an App?, “even the most profound spiritual experiences may themselves be the result of brain processes of which we remain unaware” (MSAC Philosophy Group “Universe an App” 19). As such, the brain is able to trick us by performing processes that we cannot perceive and since the consciousness “provides us with a keen sense of dissociation … its very intangibility appears resistant to a merely physical explanation” (MSAC Philosophy Group “Universe an App” 17). In this way, the brain is able to trick us because it makes us unaware of the processes it is undertaking and thus make us unable to associate the outcomes of these processes with the processes. This ability of the brain to trick us is beneficial for our survival since it helps us “make immediate judgments and future predictions [that enable us] to live an extra day” (Diem-Lane 15). In our ancestral past, as Diem-Lane (17) further observes “we had to make quick on the spot judgments about an unusual sight or noise or smell in order not to get attacked by a predator.” The ability of the brain to trick us thus helps us to make presumptions about things thus helping us to survive longer and be able to pass on our genes to our progeny.
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Post by ronaldkkh on Jul 31, 2015 19:02:13 GMT
Week 5
1. Do you think artificial intelligence will be a significant problem in the future?
I believe artificial intelligence will be a significant problem in future because it will threaten the perception that humans are special beings. It also threatens long-held cultural, spiritual and social tenets that were considered to be the reality. For example, technology advancement has led to “what was internal … moving external” demystifying basis upon which aspects such as religious, magical, and psychic aspects have bemused humans (MSAC Philosophy Group “Digital Philosophy” 17). Ability of intelligent systems to act in a conscious manner such as predicting an individual’s actions and acting as an individual would in various circumstances are also likely to demystify the special attachment human have as conscious organisms. Such advancements are likely to be problematic in future because they may affect how individuals relate with others and their environment.
2. How has technology impacted your life?
Technology has impacted my life in significant ways. Social media has for example influenced how I interact with people especially enabling me to get in touch with those whom we had parted ways for long. The email has also become a common means I use for communication as opposed to writing letters, while I can purchase many things through the internet without having physically to visit places where they are being offered. I also can pay for most things I buy without carrying physical money, get news of events around the world without relying on media institutions, and learn of other cultures across the world even without leaving my house. As such, technology has made my life easier in many ways, but has also presented problems such as loss of privacy.
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Post by ronaldkkh on Jul 31, 2015 19:03:59 GMT
Week 6
1. Why is Faqir Chand's experiences important in understanding the projective nature of religious visions and miracles?
Faqir Chand’s experiences help us understand that religious visions and miracles are projections of our mind. In the video “Faqir Chand: Inner Visions and Running Trains”, Chand’s experience in the battle field is for example narrated, indicating how his near death experience had led him to see a vision of Hazur Data Dayal Ji instructing him not to fear or waste their ammunitions. Subsequently, those whom were with him had argued this to have been a divine intervention that had prevented their army from being overrun by the rebels. In one interview, Chand however had stated that Hazur Data Dayal Ji “had given hints about the Reality in his writings … [and] in his last discourse before death he had made it clear that he did not project himself in the vision seen by his disciples” (cited in MSAC Philosophy Group “The Unknowing Sage” 3). He further noted that the visions one sees “are only because of the impressions and suggestions that a disciple has already accepted in his mind” (cited in MSAC Philosophy Group “The Unknowing Sage” 5). Such realizations by Chand highlight the role that the brain may play in the course of visions rather that there being an external source of such visions.
2. What is meant by the phrase, "philosophy done well is science; philosophy done poorly remains philosophy."
The phrase “philosophy done well is science; philosophy done poorly remains philosophy” implies that when philosophical discourse arises from investigations of critical philosophical questions, it can lead to factual findings that help unearth the actual state of affairs. When conducted this way, philosophy thus acts as science, which through experiments, helps to provide evidence that attest to the truth or discredits a specific hypothesis. As pointed out in The Feynman Imperative, science works and progresses because “it is predicated not upon what we desire or wish, but rather competing our guesses, hunches, and theories by allowing them to be tested in real world situations and against other hypotheses and other viewpoints (cited in Diem-Lane 31). In the same way, well-done philosophy uses evidence and logical and rational arguments to arrive at its conclusions thus enabling our understanding to progress as science does. However, where philosophy does not attend to questions critical to our understanding of nature and the word, it remains just as sayings that have no import in progressing our understanding of nature and other phenomena.
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