18 JUN 2013 by ideonexus
The Mathematical Image
The proof is elegant and the result profound. Still, it is typical mathematics; so,
it’s a good example to reflect upon. In doing so, we will begin to see the elements
of the mathematical image, the standard conception of what mathematics is. Let’s
begin a list of some commonly accepted aspects. By ‘commonly accepted’ I mean
that they would be accepted by most working mathematicians, by most educated
people, and probably by most philosophers of mathematics, as well. In listing
them as...Folksonomies: mathematics philosophy
Folksonomies: mathematics philosophy
1 
notes
notesHow mathematics provides certainty, objectivity,
19 APR 2013 by ideonexus
Christianity's Contempt for the Sciences
Contempt for human sciences was one of the first features of Christianity. It had to avenge itself of the outrages of philosophy; it feared that spirit of investigation and doubt, that confidence of man in his own reason, the pest alike of all religious creeds. The light of the natural sciences was even odious to it, and was regarded with a suspicious eye, as being a dangerous enemy to the success of miracles: and there is no religion that does not oblige its sectaries to swallow some physica... 1 notes
notesIt was a threat to it's authority, and if printing existed at the time, science may have survived, but instead it was abolished.
01 FEB 2012 by ideonexus
The Origin and Evolution of Scientific Terms
It is interesting to note how many fundamental terms which the social sciences are trying to adopt from physics have as a matter of historical fact originated in the social field. Take, for instance, the notion of cause. The Greek aitia or the Latin causa was originally a purely legal term. It was taken over into physics, developed there, and in the 18th century brought back as a foreign-born kind for the adoration of the social sciences. The same is true of the concept of law of nature. Orig... 1 notes
notesHow terms migrate from science to science, changing their meaning as they go.
31 JAN 2012 by ideonexus
Chemistry VS Biology
I came to biochemistry through chemistry; I came to chemistry, partly by the labyrinthine routes that I have related, and partly through the youthful romantic notion that the natural sciences had something to do with nature. What I liked about chemistry was its clarity surrounded by darkness; what attracted me, slowly and hesitatingly, to biology was its darkness surrounded by the brightness of the givenness of nature, the holiness of life. And so I have always oscillated between the brightne... 1 notes
notesChargaff relates how he was drawn to Chemistry for its clarity surrounded by the unknown and later biology for its lack of clarity but surrounded by the known.
14 SEP 2011 by ideonexus
Avicenna Describes His Learning
At night I would return home, set out a lamp before me, and devote myself to reading and writing. Whenever sleep overcame me or I became conscious of weakening, I would turn aside to drink a cup of wine, so that my strength would return to me. Then I would return to reading. And whenever sleep seized me I would see those very problems in my dream; and many questions became clear to me in my sleep. I continued in this until all of the sciences were deeply rooted within me and I understood them... 1 notes
notesDisciplined, exhaustive, and systematic.
18 APR 2011 by ideonexus
The Growth of Taxonomy in the Scientific Revolution
Taxonomy was the biology of the scientific revolution. The opening up of the New World and the Far East provided European scientists with thousands of new species to examine and classify. Establishing botanical gardens, menageries and 'cabinets' of minerals, preserved animal specimens and dried plants were favourite hobbies amongst wealthy collectors. And since the natural sciences were not yet fully recognised by university faculties, these studies remained in the hands of amateurs. Of 48 na...Folksonomies: science history
Folksonomies: science history
1 notes
notesMany women became botonists and entomologist during this time.
01 JAN 2010 by ideonexus
The Science Haves and Have-Nots
Today the greatest divide within humanity is not between races, or religions, or even, as widely believes, between the literate and illiterate. It is the chasm that separates scientific from prescientific cultures. Without the instruments and accumulated knowledge of the natural sciences--physics, chemistry, and biology--humans are trapped in a cognitive prison. They are like intelligent fish born in a deep, shadowed pool. Wondering and restless, longing to reach out, they think about the wor...Folksonomies: spiritual naturalism
Folksonomies: spiritual naturalism
1 Without science, people are trapped within a "cognitive prison".
