Copernicus and Ptolemy were strongly debating the nature of the solar system. Ptolemy insisted
Copernicus and Ptolemy were strongly debating the nature of the solar system. Ptolemy insisted
44). Occam’s razor is basically telling man that they should pick the simplest way to explain a problem or phenomenon, since that will most likely be the proper answer. Razor means shaving away unnecessary assumptions (Occam’s Razor, 2015), which definitely gives meaning to the whole concept. Now, Clever Hans was owned by Wilhelm von Osten, who was an amateur horse trainer (Clever Hans, 2014) (this probably gave Pfungst an idea for a hypothesis to prove Osten wrong about Clever Hans.), had Hans perform every day leaving people amazed.…
The first is what is considered the positivist view, which is essentially that there is a truth out there, and that people are either right or wrong about what they think is true. He emphasizes that rhetoric is the path to reaching that truth. The second is the classic interpretive approach, that different groups have different realities, and there knowledge within them. This means that within a group, someone can be wrong, although that doesn't necessarily mean they're wrong in all groups. Finally, he addresses the view that the world is much too complicated for humans to understand, which is evidenced by our need to define and label…
The Matrix and the reality it presents, is built off of representations of things that did exist in reality which is something that Descartes brings up.…
When one examines the arguments of history’s most influential leaders, there is one inconspicuous, but undeniable truth: logic is never completely logical. Whether they gratify mankind's natural love of credible authority figures or satisfy emotional impulses, logic-based texts always contain minutia that appeal to other aspects of the human psyche. This paradox is none the better exemplified than in the ironically named “Common Sense,” a 1776 pamphlet by famous revolutionary Thomas Paine. In his writing, Paine argues that colonial America should separate from Britain, citing offenses by England’s monarchy, the pros of separation and unifying the states, and England's fallacious…
In his novel Brave New World, Aldous Huxley uses intellect as both the rise and fall of John the Savage. The Savage' enters civilization and instantly becomes somewhat of a celebrity because of his knowledge of the outside world. He learns quickly of the conformist society, and is eventually disgusted by what he sees. Shortly after his arrival in civilization, John the Savage is internally torn apart by his knowledge and eventually commits suicide. Oedipus the Play is somewhat parallel to Brave New World Sophocles also uses intellect as the hero's fatal flaw. In Oedipus the Play, there are three great polarities: fame and shame, sight and blindness, and ignorance and insight. These polarities are intertwined with Oedipus' reliance on intellect, and all contribute to his downfall. Throughout his search for identity, Oedipus experiences the great polarities that reflect his reliance on intellect as both his greatest…
"Common sense" was one of the most important pieces of literature in early America because it was extremely influential to many people throughout al of the American colonies. The colonist came to America to escape religious boundaries, so they could worship God freely. Thomas Paine uses this to his advantage by using scriptural quotes, pathos, to convinces his audience that it is common sense for the colonists to break completely with Great Britain. He says that a monarchy is terrible, and to have a king is not only an unsuccessful way to rule a nation, but it is also a sin. Paine undermines the king in his writing by using rhetorical devices to help destroy America's loyalty to the…
Paine begins the pamphlet “Common Sense” with differentiating between government and society. He argues that society is a “blessing”; on the other hand, government is nothing but a “necessary evil.” Society is everything positive that people join together to accomplish. Government, on the other hand, is only there to protect us from our innate evil. Government has its origins in the evil of man and is therefore considered a necessary evil at its best. If all people acted morally, then government will not be necessary. But since we are all sinful humans, government’s role is essential to protect our life, property and provide security.…
Oedipus later finds out that even though he escaped his fate when he was born (when he was spared from death and crowned prince of Corinth), the boundaries of his free will led him back to the inevitable fate that the gods had in store for him. When Oedipus discovers this, he cries out and says, “Apollo, he ordained my agonies, these, my pains… I did it myself! What good were eyes to me? Nothing I could see could bring me joy.” (Sophocles, Ln. 1467-1473) Here, Oedipus is blaming Apollo for his troubles, but then goes on to admit that it was he too who was to blame for what happened. This shows the audience that as much as it was his free will that had a hand in his depression, it was also in the hands of the Gods, and that there is no escaping…
The term Occam's razor with reference to the philosophical idea or scientific principle that of any given set of explanations for an event occurring, it is highly likely that the simplest one is the correct one. Occam's razor does not seek to offer complete, complex and absolute proof, but to find the simplest probable answer to a question of why an event took place. The application of the principle can be used to shift the burden of proof in a discussion.…
David Hume is a renowned Philosopher that has shaped the ideas of cause and effect (causality) as we know them today. He suggested that true cause and effect relationship has to be the result of A causing B. The occurrence of B happening is contingent on the fact that A occurs before B, thus causing B to happen. Since he holds that this is the only rational way to conclude that one thing causes another to happen, he goes as far as to say that human beings will never know the exact cause that takes place in order for B to be the result. Hume comes to this conclusion because he maintains that there are secrete causes that cannot be observed by the human eye, thus it is impossible for humans to rationally conclude that one thing caused another…
The argument on whether free will or fate governs the destinies of human beings has been the main topic of various writings, such as the tale of Oedipus Rex written by Sophocles. Oedipus demonstrated to have a fulfilling praise life by many to see, however, he had a past or a fate unknown to him. His naive and stubborn personality made this lie an even greater tragedy. As Mike Kelley once said “Guilt is a powerful affliction. You can try to turn your back on it, but that’s when it sneaks up behind you and eats you alive. Some people struggle to understand their own guilt, unwilling or unable to justify the part they play in it. Others run away from their guilt, shedding their conscience until there’s no conscience left at all.” Oedipus guilt…
Humes believed that if there is no order then there is no need for an orderer. Analogies depend on who decided on them, therefore he believed they do not work. Order is a necessary part of the universe but this self-sustaining order could very well be the product of chance. “We have no evidence of world making”. To show this he uses different analogies. His ship analogy suggests that to design and build a ship you need many workers, so the universe may well have been created by a whole team of gods. I agree with this analogy as it would be too much for just one God. Ockham’s razor believes God is all perfect so you only need one. Designers can be foolish and weak so in the analogy God could be foolish and weak. Also there is faulty design which implies a faulty designer, “The first rude attempt of some infant deity”. Another analogy is that Humes says the world is more like a vegetable which do not need designing because they just grow naturally. So the world is a result of germinations rather than design.…
Fate is responsible for many events, such as the tragedy of Oedipus. Although some people may lay the fault on others, they were really just part of fate’s plans all along. Jocasta and Laius, a queen and King from ancient Greece, found out they were to have a son. But they did not know from the moment Jocasta became pregnant, fate had plans for their son. Before he was even born Oedipus was destined to kill his father and marry his mother. Despite his parent’s attempt to kill him as a baby and Oedipus himself running from his fate, the result was still what fate had planned all along. Fate used everybody and made them all play a part in the tragedy. Even without the actions of Oedipus’ parents, Tiresias, and the gods, Oedipus still would have killed his father and married his mother. Although the blame from the tragedy of Oedipus could fall on many different people, ultimately fate is at fault.…
Thomas Paine is one of the important founding fathers of America who with his powerful language won over the hearts of the Americans. Thus he united America to rebel against the greatest super power in the world at the time – England. Thomas Paine came to America from Britain at just the right time because he would see the condition of America and with the power of his words he would subdue the public in believing in his cause. He used propaganda to make the people see the horrors England was opposing on the Americans. He tamed the public into believing him with one of the most famous work of the Age of Reason era Common Sense.…
One undergoes several steps in undertaking a research. One of the very important steps in research is the formulation of a research question. The research question is important because it stands to influence the depth and breadth of the research as well as the design and methodology of the research. The research question has to be appropriate and relevant. In other words, it must be suitable for the researcher, the circumstances, and the resources available among others. The Goldilocks Test is one of the tools which can be used by a researcher to ensure that the research question is well thought through and its not too extreme.…