Scientific Revolutions & the Nature of Reality: Physics to Metaphysics
The Scientific Revolutions of the Twentieth Century
There have been three major revolutions that have changed the way we understand reality:
- Physics: Theories of relativity and quantum mechanics originated a new concept of the universe’s structure.
- Biology: Depicting life as a result of the complexity and self-organization of matter.
- Humanity: The digital revolution and the neuroscience of consciousness relate to physics and biology.
The Theory of Relativity
From the photoelectric effect, Einstein concluded
Read MoreExploring Hume’s Philosophy: Ideas, Morality, and Causality
Natural Relationship
A relationship of ideas is formed through imagination, a faculty by which two ideas are spontaneously introduced one after the other. This relationship manifests in three major ways: similarity, continuity in space-time, and causality.
Start of Copy
This refers to ideas, which are like copies of prints, as these are images of perceptions.
Philosophical Relation
This is a type of association of ideas. It’s an arbitrary and conventional relationship that the imagination establishes
Read MoreCartesian Philosophy: Reason, Method, and Metaphysics
Thoughts, Ideas, and the Pursuit of Knowledge
Since knowledge is always knowledge of ideas, the fundamental epistemological problem in modern philosophy is determining the truth of ideas. Descartes examines the types of ideas to escape solipsism and demonstrate the existence of a perfect external reality, which is God. The text refers to God as a perfect being, whose existence is the cause of the idea of perfection. In Cartesian philosophy, God’s existence is demonstrated; He is one of the three
Read MoreExploring Philosophy: Myths, Knowledge, and Modern Thought
What is a Mythical Tale?
A mythical tale is a fantastic story, full of symbols and metaphors of great beauty, handed down through generations or the result of a collective effort. Myths explain the origin of the world and answer questions about the ‘beyond,’ telling a story that exists in another time.
Social Functions and Anthropological Myths
Myths reveal an esoteric truth, often strange, that requires interpretation. Sometimes a social group is responsible for its interpretation and thus becomes
Read MoreUnderstanding Kant: Critique of Pure Reason, Stages of Reason, and Metaphysics
Contextualizing Kant
Kant’s philosophical work is broadly categorized into three areas:
Critique of Pure Reason
Immanuel Kant first published his seminal work, Critique of Pure Reason, in 1781. Initially, the work did not meet the public or critical acclaim Kant anticipated, sparking considerable debate in philosophical circles. Kant attributed this lukewarm reception to misinterpretations and the complexity of the text. He subsequently wrote Prolegomena to Any Future Metaphysics That Will Be Able
Read MoreOrigins and Role of Philosophy: From Myth to Reason
Origins of Philosophy
From the sixth century, a properly philosophical thought existed. Prior to that, mythical explanations, stories, or legends were used to understand and master the world. Myths and magical forces resorted to arbitrary explanations, a result of the gods’ will.
Myths
The term “myth” comes from the Greek word mythos, meaning immediate narration. Myths have an explanatory and exemplary function, involving stories and beliefs. They aim to appease or promote human action, stimulate creative
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