Midterm Examination

1. Name:  Mely Goodman

2. Complete List of Postings:

• Mysterium Tremendum Part 1 & 2
• Nietzsche's Myth of Eternal Recurrence
• How Did Socrates Die?
• Either / Or? : a primer on existentialism
• The Emergence of Rationality:  Wisdom in 56 seconds
• The Limits of Science
• The Life of Pythagoras
• Electric Surfing
• Eliminative Materialism 1-3
• The Elegant Universe
• The Fabric of Cosmos
• Darwin's DNA:  Why Science is Different than Religion
• Evolution Explained in Four Minutes
• On the Tendency of Varieties to Depart Indefinitely from the Original Type
• Evolution Trilogy

3.  List of Flipped Video Answers:

# 1 - Mysterium Tremendum:  If Wonder Has a Form, What is the Matter?

How can the conflict between religion and science be partially resolved by developing a better and richer understanding of the word "matter"?

Generally, the word "matter" is known to be an object that can in some instances be observed, but is made up of mass and takes up space. Religion can be defined as a set of practices and beliefs that says all things are created by a higher power; in my personal belief, that higher power is God. Science is defined as a study based on facts, observation, and experimentation. If we can keep an open mind and have an understanding that all things are in fact matter, including ourselves, whether we are beings of light, just a body or created by God, both religion and science can be satisfied thus partially resolving the conflict between the two. 

# 2 - Mysterium Tremendum PRESENTATION, part two:  SPIRCON

What is the Chandian Effect? How did Faqir Chand come to realize the secret behind religious visions?

The Chandian Effect designates two major factors in transpersonal encounters.  It is the overwhelming experience of certainty and the subject of projection of sacred forms, figures, scenes by the meditator without the conscious knowledge of the object and person that it is beheld at the center of the experience.   Faqir Chand came to realize the secret behind religious visions while he was at war in Iraq in 1919.  After becoming aware that his army was low on ammunition, he began to fear for his life.  It was at that moment that he had an apparition by Hazur Data Dayal Ji telling him not to fear the opposition for they just wanted to pick up their dead, to allow them to do that and not waste the little ammunition they had left. He advised his major and the major followed the directions of the apparition.  By morning his army received the ammunition they were waiting for. They no longer had fear and they now felt safe.  The war ended about three months later.  Upon returning to Baghdad the Sat Sangis began worshiping him because they claimed he, Faqir Chanda, had appeared before them in the battlefield while they felt in great danger and feared for their lives and gave them directions that would save their lives.  They indeed followed those directions their lives were saved.  Faqir Chanda was shocked being that at that same moment, he too was in fear of his own life and had no knowledge of what they were going through.  This made Faqir Chand have questions within himself as to who really appeared to the Sat Sangis.  He came to the realization that the secrets behind religious visions are the true knowledge of feelings, visions, and images seen within, the unreal impressions created by the mind in a state of being awake, dreaming, and in deep sleep modes of consciousness.

# 3 - The Limits of Science:  Illuminated Ideas in 56 Seconds

Do you think it may be possible to exceed our cranial limits? If not, why not? If so, how so?

Absolutely!!  It is one of those things, like many in philosophy, that we will never have a clear and definite answer.  I do, however, believe that it is impossible to stop learning or understanding.  Yes, our cranium only goes so far, but not our understanding and logic.  We can live an entire lifetime and never stop learning or understanding.  

How can anyone believe that there is a limit on our understanding?  Even when visiting Einstein's Limit of Light that says that we can only see so far with our telescopes within the parameters of relativity, it may be true that yes, you can only see so far, but that doesn't mean that the object(s) you're viewing necessarily end there.  For example, if you were to take a telescope and look into the sky, you'll only be able to see so far, but there is an entire universe beyond that that cannot be seen and its end cannot be determined.  With that being said, I do believe that it is possible to exceed our cranial limits.

# 4 - Where Are We?  The Vertigo of Place

Do we ultimately know where we are?

Just as the speaker says "...I had thought in terms of man's own limited dimension, I had presumed upon nature, that existence begins and ends is man's conception, not nature's".  In our early school age years, we have been taught our location by means of a globe, maps, and books as well as mankind's perception of "where we are", but ultimately, no, we do not know where we are.  

Much like the video describes, we live in a city within a state that lies on a country which is part of a planet that sits in this immense universe, but there is no clear and true answer as to where we really are.  What does our universe sit on?  Is there ever a concrete end and explanation to our location?  That has yet to be discovered.

# 5 - The Unknowable: Exploring the Mystery of Being

 I agree with most of this video lesson regarding the limits of knowledge.  It is just as the old saying goes, "you learn something new everyday." I don't think we will ever stop learning nor will we every know everything either.  This universe and our lives are full of a vast variety of unanswered questions and as new things arise and are discovered there will always be much to be studied and learned, the unknowable or gaps.  Gaps that will never be filled.  Some scientists believe that they have come up with an answer or solution to a specific subject, but have they really?  I don't believe so.  One true statement in this video is that we don't know what a single thing is, nor will we ever know it all.

# 6 - Is the Universe Really Made Out of Rubber Bands?  A Kid's Exploration of String Theory

Why is String Theory potentially scientific and not merely wishful thinking? What its Feynman's definition of science?

String theory hasn't been yet proven by science but it  is potentially scientific and not merely wishful thinking because it is open to being tested by scientists who have proposed a number of experiments to demonstrate if it is true or not.

Feynman's definition of science is that the way to look for a new law you take a guess first, then you compute the consequences of the guess to see what it implies and if it's right.  Then you compare those computation results to nature, compared directly with observation to see if it works.  He believes the key of science is:  If it disagrees with the experiment then it's wrong.

# 7 - Maya:  The Physics of Deception

How is the Indian concept of Maya helpful (in an analogous way) in understanding how deception works in neuroscience?

The Indian concept of Maya is helpful in understanding how deception works in neuroscience because things aren't always what they seem.  Our perception of when some things happen may be different than when they actually happen.  This is so because we have perceptual experiences when the sensory integration of our chemical senses and our visual, auditory, and kinesthetic systems occur.  The messages being sent to our internal brain processes from external sources are interpreted differently than what is really occurring.  I found it rather interesting to know that our brains are making decisions prior to us even being aware of what that decision will be.

This means that in reality we are and will always be living in the past.  Even if it is by seconds or minutes, by the time the messages of a specific occurrence being transmitted through our eyes and into our brain, it has already happened and has moved onto the next thing. This is where the deception occurs.  We think we are seeing a beautiful sunset happening right before our eyes, when in reality the initial process has already taken place moments before.  It is to say that any given event occurring at any given time, has already happened by the time we perceive it. It is a never ending cycle  that helps us understand how deception works in neuroscience.

# 8 - Death as a Black Hole:  Entering the Final Portal

What scares us most about death?

I think the thing that scares me most about death is fear of the unknown.  I will never know when, how, or where it will happen.  When I think of death, a lot of questions arise.  When will it happen?  How will it happen?  What will be the cause of my death, an accident, an illness, or will I die of natural causes?  What will become of my family?  We all know that death is inevitable, but are we accepting of it?  Is there a right way to prepare for it?  This is a terrifying subject that most people would rather not speak of and I think it's all due to just that...fear.

As far as death of others around us, it's still a series of questions.  What will I do without that person?  How do we overcome the loss?  I just lost my dad 2 1/2 months ago and the weeks and days leading up to his death were nothing but fear, uncertainty, and sorrow.  Up until the moment when a hospice nurse came to our home and said "He has less than 72 hours" there was no preparing ourselves, mentally, physically, and especially not emotionally.  All I can remember is fear and sorrow.

We all have a desire to live, see our children grow up, advance in our careers, and see what the future has in store for us.  We all want to enjoy our families and have as much time as possible with them.  Personally, I want to be here to take care of my family and make sure they are well.  I think the thought of all of that coming to an end brings on a sense of uncertainty, fear, and not being ready for it all to come to an end.

4. How much of the reading did you do?

• Mysterium Tremendum 
• Plato's Cave
• How Did Socrates Die?
• The Life of Pythagoras
• Spooky Physics
• Einstein vs Bohr
• Bohr vs. Einstein
• Darwin's DNA
• On the Tendency of Varieties to Depart Indefinitely from the Original Type
• Experiments in Plant Hybridization
• On the Origin of Species
• Molecular Structures of Nucleic Acids

5. How many of the films did you watch?

• The Flipped Video Lessons # 1 - 8
• Mysterium Tremendum part 1 & 2
• Either / Or
• The Myth of Eternal Recurrence
• The Limits of Science
• The Emergence of Rationality
• Electric Surfing
• Quantum Thinking
• Eliminative Materialism part 1-3
• Elegant Universe
• The Fabric of the Cosmos
• Evolution Trilogy
• Darwin's DNA
• Charles Darwin
• Evolution Explained in Four Minutes

6.  Why was Socrates sentenced to death?  Why was his philosophy considered "radical"?

Socrates was sentenced to death after being accused by a poet named Melitus of corrupting the youth and not worshiping and acknowledging the existence of the gods recognized by Athens, but rather invented and believed in new ones.  The charge against him stated that he would question everything and was wickedly exploring things under the earth and in the heavens, then taking this information and passing it on to others. Socrates believed that "The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing" and that "The unexamined life is not worth living," as he stated himself.  His rationale inspired those who followed him to think for themselves and form their own opinions rather than believing in the recognized superstitions regarding the gods and following the rules of society.  This way of thinking went against what most of the city of Athens believed in. Athenians believed that humans both as individuals and as groups paid honors to the gods to thank them for blessings received and to receive blessings in return.  They would honor the gods with sacrifices, dances, prayers, processsions, festival of songs, and gifting to the gods' sanctuaries. The most important gods they believed in were Olympian gods such as Athena, Apollo, and Poseidon among others.

The term radical is defined as relating to or affecting the fundamental nature; going to the root or origin.  This was precisely the practices of Socrates.  He sought out the foundation of what was being discussed by asking question after question and in most cases a question was answered with another question thus there was never a real and definite answer.  Socrates's philosophy was considered radical because he critiqued and interrogated everything, especially  the concepts and values of Athenian morality and politics. He tested his views by approaching those that were considered wise men such as poets, statesmen, and artisans and question their wisdom.  He would then conclude that these previously thought to be wise men had limited knowledge and were not wise after all, in fact they knew nothing.  Although Socrates had a passion for wisdom and sought out the truth, he believed he himself knew nothing.

7.  Who won the Einstein-Bohr debate?  

The Einstein-Bohr debate pertained to the interpretation and validity of quantum theory.  Quantum theory is a theory of matter and energy based on the concept of quanta, especially quantum mechanics. Einstein was a realist when it came to science and his opinion of this theory was that it was an incomplete theory based on a principle of uncertainty which pointed to the variability of human measurement. Bohr was an idealist and believed in following the data and letting it determine whatever philosophical course it would follow. Bohr believed that God plays dice in the universe, while Einstein did not. The debate between the two went on for decade and finally in 1930, Einstein discussed a thought experiment that involved a measurement of mass of a box which discharged a photon, in an attempt to argue against consistency of the time-energy uncertainty relation.  Bohr surely won over Einstein by reasoning that Einstein's own general theory of relativity saves the consistency of quantum mechanics.  Einstein's box should have counteracted indeterminism and allow for a realistic interpretation for what takes place at the subatomic realm.  Bohr saw the fault in Einstein's box and used strategic reasoning was able to show why the device wouldn't work as predicted.  Although it was determined that Bohr won, some say that the debate is currently still going on.

8.  What is the thesis behind the movie Mysterium Tremendum?

The thesis behind the movie Mysterium Tremendum is the inability to find out who we really are, what we are really made of, and where we really are.  The video addresses the true meaning of matter by attempting to break down its contents down to the atoms, protons, neutrons, and electrons.  Beyond that it is described as being made of small things that contain littler things that jiggle.  I agree with the video and believe the confusion associated with this mystery exists due to a vast difference of opinions and beliefs. Solving this mystery requires an in depth investigation and break down of the presented facts and even then we reach a point where we can no longer move forward with testing and proving facts thus the mystery continues to remain unanswered. In comparison, we can take the human body and question the same.  What are we really made of?  What is our breakdown?  Will we find a true definite answer?  Absolutely not, because it doesn't exist, it is a matter of opinion.  Some may believe that we are living organisms that evolved from an earlier form, while others hold the belief that a supreme being, such as God, was the creator of all things, including man and woman.  Much like the M-theory, the unifying theory derived from string theory, it is untestable and a clear and complete answer does not exist. Therefore, we will never know who we really are, where we really came from, and where we really are.  It will always remain a mystery that only leaves us to form our own assumptions based on whether we take a scientific or religious approach.  Will we solely believe in observable, unreliable, and incomplete facts that are at a standstill due to lack of ability of continued testing or the belief in something greater than that, that is untouchable, unseen, and unheard.

9. What is eliminative materialism?

Eliminative materialism is a materialist position in the philosophy of mind.  It primarily states that people's common-sense understanding of the mind is incorrect and that certain kinds of mental states that most people believe in are non existent.  It is a method used to eliminate the beliefs that something is as a result of or created by a higher power, an inexplicable phenomena, and replacing it with scientifically tested and proven facts.  For example, it was once believed that spirits and gods caused diseases to make their presence be known.  Sacrifices and ritual chanting were some of the things done in order to satisfy the the spirits or gods in order to treat and get rid of the illnesses. This belief was replaced by the discovery that the little organisms called bacteria, initially discovered by Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, had the ability to cause diseases by German doctor, Robert Koch in 1876.  It was also once believed that when Zeus, rain god, was displeased, he would throw rain, winds, lightnings, and thunderbolts to cause disaster to the mortals.  This too was later replaced by the discovery that lightning is electricity by Benjamin Franklin in 1752 using his famous kite flying experiment.  One of the examples shown in the video to point out the meaning of eliminative materialism, explain its purpose, and discredit the possibility that God did it, was to take the subject in question an test it using mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, psychology, and sociology, if all of these academic studies didn't provide solid proof, then it was okay to say that God did it.

10. What is the theory of evolution by natural selection and why is it so important in understanding how to do philosophy?

Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection, also referred to as "survival of the fittest," explains how species change through time, so much sometimes that new species are produced.  He defined it as the principle by which each slight variation of a trait, if useful, is preserved.  Evolution by natural selection has four requirements that must take place in order for natural selection to operate on a trait.   That trait must have heritable variation and must possess an advantage in the competition for resources since more individuals are produced in each generation that can survive.  There has to be variation in body size, hair color, facial markings, or voice properties. Inheritance of some traits are consistently passed on from parent to offspring some traits more pronounced than others.   Throughout the organisms life, their genomes interact with the environments to cause variations in traits.There must also be a high rate of population growth.  Each year there is more population than there are available resources and this leads to a high rate of mortality; differential survival and reproduction. 

Philosophy critically examines anything and everything, including itself and its methods.  Its practices are so to avoid being deceived, misled, or misinformed by illogical beliefs.  The theory of evolution by natural selection is important in how to do philosophy because it depicts a rational explanation and order of the evolution of all living organisms.  In philosophy, the idea that God is the creator of all things cannot be proven with observable and testable facts therefore it is non existing nor feasible. The theory of evolution lines out a specific order and facts of its process thus becoming a reliable source of information.

11. Why is physics important when doing philosophy?

Physics is defined as the branch of science developed out of philosophy that is concerned with the nature and properties of matter and energy; the physical properties and phenomena of something.  There is a long history and connection between the two studies that complements one another.  Being knowledgeable in physics while practicing philosophy could be very beneficial to a philosopher because they are both among the most important fields of research. Physics manufactured the most profound and pervasive change in the understanding of nature due to the rise of relativity theory and quantum mechanics in 1935.  Both of these studies seek the understanding of the nature of reality and our knowledge of it. Albert Einstein agreed on the significance and educational value of methodology as well as history and philosophy of science.  Physics has always played a vital role in shaping ideas in modern philosophy.  The relationship between experiment and theory are scientific issues and also issues from the foundation of the philosophy of science.  Taking that into consideration, they are equally important for both fields.  

12. List any extra credit.

• Read:  Reasonable Logic
• Read:  The Metaphysics of Morality.
• Read:  Frisky Dirt

13.  Favorite Reading

On the Tendency of Varieties to Depart Indefinitely from the Original Type

14.  Favorite Movie

The Myth of Eternal Recurrence

Evolution Trilogy

I agree that we are constantly being influenced by our environment, social interactions, cultural traditions, and life experiences.  Being a part of such a diverse world forces us to grab a hold of things that we see fit for our way of living and surviving.  Our environment consists of a combination of positives and negatives, producers and consumers, intelligent and ignorant, etc.  Although our environment is such, we are the dictators of how we process and manage what is before us.  There are things within our reach that we are able to dominate as well as those that are out of our control and we must adapt to them in order to survive.  Our parents raise us with certain values, morals, traditions, and behaviors that they were accustomed to and as we reach adulthood we tend to recreate our own way of being.  In this same manner, we will mold our children in a way that we see fit, but eventually they too will grow to form their own opinion and way of living which will differ from what we have taught them.  Our influences change as well as our thinking process.  I don't believe that nature uses deception to edit our being.  We simply adapt to our environment and do what is necessary to survive using the tools we have acquired and learned to use.

This film speaks of evolution versus creationism.  Our society is compiled of those who believe in creationism and those who believe in evolution.  Creationism is defined as the belief that the universe and living organisms originate from specific acts of divine creation.  Evolution is the process by which different kinds of living organisms are thought to have developed and diversified from earlier forms during the history of the earth.  With that being said, how can anybody disprove one belief or the other?  Much less make such degrading remarks when referring to creationism.  The film focuses too much on attacking creationism by claiming that the idea of it is silly nonsense, idiotic, foolish, and unintelligible rather than giving specific, proven facts of its untruthfulness in order to prove the theory of evolution.  We live in a world that is diverse in individual intellectual practices and beliefs and this does not make one superior to the other.  They are simply different beliefs and should be equally respected.  I think William Lane Craig gave a more informative explanation of evolution versus creationism taking into account both beliefs in this video http://youtu.be/bqUaWiuR4TY

On the Tendency of Varieties to Depart Indefinitely from the Original Type

I agree with this reading.  In the animal world there are certain species that will develop in different environments, yet are exactly alike, and this determines how they adapt to their environment in order to survive.  A cat, for instance, has the natural instinct and ability to hunt for food by crouching low to the ground and moving slowly to obtain a close proximity to their target just before pouncing on it.  This is then followed by the use of their claws and sharp teeth to capture, kill, and eat their prey. All cats, whether in the wild or domesticated, have this ability that is mainly instinctual, but also learned from their parents.  What differs the two is the environmental needs for these behaviors and the way in which they adapt to them.  The natural environment of a wild cat such as a leopard, tiger, or puma requires them to make use of these behaviors on a daily basis in order to survive.  Where the domestic cat which is fed and cared for by us humans,  has no need for this as its environment does not require it.  The difference in environment and needs for survival is what makes these cats stray from their original parent specie and in some form recreate itself into a subspecies. 

I think this also applies to the human race.  Our environment and how we adapt to it determines what is required of us in order to survive.  Upon our birth, our parents mold us by caring for us, teaching us the knowledge they possess, and raise us to be much like they are.  They introduce us to things like customs, human interaction, behavior, religion, morals, and values.  Once we mature and become independent, we then begin to adapt ourselves to the environment we choose to live in thus branching out from what we were first taught and introduced to.  Some of the ways of our parents still are carried on to who we become as adults, but its inevitable that we do form our own individual character and choose our environment.  It is then that our choice of environment determines our needs for survival.  People who have chosen to live the street life and doing the wrong thing, often resort to violence, theft, and a life of struggling to live.  Where people who choose to live their life in a positive way, holding a stable job, maintaining a roof over their heads, and so on do not need to resort to violence or theft as their environment doesn't call for it.  They have made it possible to have their resources available and easily accessible to them. In sum, varieties do have the tendency to depart indefinitely from the original type.

The Flipped Video Lesson # 8

What scares us most about death?

I think the thing that scares me most about death is fear of the unknown.  I will never know when, how, or where it will happen.  When I think of death, a lot of questions arise.  When will it happen?  How will it happen?  What will be the cause of my death, an accident, an illness, or will I die of natural causes?  What will become of my family?  We all know that death is inevitable, but are we accepting of it?  Is there a right way to prepare for it?  This is a terrifying subject that most people would rather not speak of and I think it's all due to just that...fear.

As far as death of others around us, it's still a series of questions.  What will I do without that person?  How do we overcome the loss?  I just lost my dad 2 1/2 months ago and the weeks and days leading up to his death were nothing but fear, uncertainty, and sorrow.  Up until the moment when a hospice nurse came to our home and said "He has less than 72 hours" there was no preparing ourselves, mentally, physically, and especially not emotionally.  All I can remember is deep sorrow and fear.

We all have a desire to live, see our children grow up, advance in our careers, and see what the future has in store for us.  We all want to enjoy our families and have as much time as possible with them.  Personally, I want to be here to take care of my family and make sure they are well.  I think the thought of all of that coming to an end brings on a sense of uncertainty, fear, and not being ready for it all to come to an end.

Evolution Explained in Four Minutes

This was a very interesting video and the fact that something as vast as evolution can be explained in four minutes is incredible.  I really enjoyed the analogy between a book and our genome.  Our unique pattern of information consists of a genome (book) with 46 chapters of 25,000 genes (pages) with billions of lines of codes written in molecules known as DNA.  DNA is composed of cytosine, thymine, adenine, and guanine.  I think it is a brilliant way to explain what our genome consists of and it facilitates its explanation. 

Natural selection is a key factor in evolution.  My interpretation of the statement, "be mated or be dated" says that in order for us humans to continue to live on this planet, we must reproduce or we will run the risk of becoming extinct.  It seems strange to think that much like other living organisms that once roamed these very grounds and have become extinct, we too run that same risk.  The good thing is that the majority of people naturally contribute to the human race maintaining a place here on earth by simply having children.

Darwin's DNA: Why Science is different than Religion

It's true that science and religion are very much different in all aspects.   Science, as a study, is based on observation and experimenting in order to produce facts that prove what is being questioned in terms of the physical and natural world, where religion is based on a belief in a higher power or "imaginary permutations" as described in the video, in my case God.  The fact that religion is based on faith which is based on spiritual apprehension rather than proof is what separates science from religion. Although, I understand the point that is being made in this video, the comparison seems absurd to me.  Perhaps this is so because I do not question the validity of my religion and I don't need to see God to know He exists, but from a philosopher's or scientist's standpoint I can see why it is being questioned.

I completely disagree with the statement that says that the geographical region you come from, in religion, is primary and every geographer knows that Gods change when you go to a different landscape.  Do geographer's know this for a fact or is it an assumption?  Has THAT been observed and experimented?  What country, state, or city you are from does not determine your religion.  If we only looked at the street we live on and did a study on what every residents' religious background is, we would find a wide variety of faiths as well as those who don't have a particular faith. 

The Flipped Video Lesson # 7

How is the Indian concept of Maya helpful (in an analogous way) in understanding how deception works in neuroscience?

The Indian concept of Maya is helpful in understanding how deception works in neuroscience because things aren't always what they seem.  Our perception of when some things happen may be different than when they actually happen.  This is so because we have perceptual experiences when the sensory integration of our chemical senses and our visual, auditory, and kinesthetic systems occur.  The messages being sent to our internal brain processes from external sources are interpreted differently than what is really occurring.  I found it rather interesting to know that our brains are making decisions prior to us even being aware of what that decision will be.

This means that in reality we are and will always be living in the past.  Even if it is by seconds or minutes, by the time the messages of a specific occurrence being transmitted through our eyes and into our brain, it has already happened and has moved onto the next thing. This is where the deception occurs.  We think we are seeing a beautiful sunset happening right before our eyes, when in reality the initial process has already taken place moments before.  It is to say that any given event occurring at any given time, has already happened by the time we perceive it. It is a never ending cycle  that helps us understand how deception works in neuroscience.    

The Fabric of Cosmos

Just as stated in the video "The Fabric of Cosmos," questioning why everything works the way it does and the possibility that things could be the opposite of what we are used to does create a series of questions and wonders.  I find this mystery rather eerie and interesting at the same time.  It is a mere stretch of the imagination that only creates possibilities, questions, and wonders.  I think this could apply to some things, but not everything.  As previously discussed, we will never know the answer to everything.  For example, when they asked what is space?  I've wondered this myself and I have always thought that there was far more to it than what is found in science books.  There is so much that hasn't been visited nor discovered so it's impossible for anyone to claim to know the true definition as to what space really is.  This will remain an unanswered question.  

On the other hand, the possibility of our perception of the difference between past, present, and future to be an illusion strikes an eerie feeling in me.  If this was ever proven, it would absolutely change my perception of this world and life as I live it.  The question of could things happen in reverse instead of in one direction as we are all used to?  In my opinion, this is nonsense.  It could very well work for some things, but not for all things.  If we simply take ourselves for example, from the moment of conception we move forward, we develop, grow, and mature in age until the day of our eminent death.  We don't grow backwards, our age doesn't reduce, it increases. With that being said, I do believe that there is in order that is followed which is greater than us and out of our control.

The Elegant Universe

This is a very interesting combination of information gathered by different points of views, different studies, and different theories held at different time periods.  Isaac Newton discovered the first force of nature by unifying the heavens and earth in a theory of gravity, but didn't know exactly how gravity worked.  James Clerk Maxwell came up with four mathematical equations that unified electricity and magnetism into a single force called electromagnetism, while Albert Einstein believed that all that was left to form a single theory that could envelop all the laws of the universe was to merge the idea of gravity with electromagnetism in an attempt to be gather all the information and explain it in the simplest form called unification.

The theories of Einstein and Maxwell became useless at explaining how the tiny bits of matter would interact with each other inside the atom when physicist Niels Bohr explained that atoms consisted of tinier particles, the nucleus, protons, electrons, and neutrons.  Bohr believed in Quantum Mechanics which says that everything in this world is by chance and uncertainty rules which basically says that we can only predict the probability of one outcome or another.

There is now a theory called String Theory whose goal is to bring together our understanding of everything in one set of principles using one master equation to say that all forces and all matter is made of one ingredient, tiny strings that wiggle.  It is believed that these strings are tiny vibrating strands of energy.  The only problem they are facing is that these strings are far too small to be tested which then goes to say that if something cannot be tested, it's not science, it's philosophy.  They still believe in the possibility that perhaps in the future String Theory will be proven.  Will this ever be proven?  We will never know.

The Flipped Video Lesson # 6

Why is String Theory potentially scientific and not merely wishful thinking? What its Feynman's definition of science?

String theory hasn't been yet proven by science but it  is potentially scientific and not merely wishful thinking because it is open to being tested by scientists who have proposed a number of experiments to demonstrate if it is true or not.


Feynman's definition of science is that the way to look for a new law you take a guess first, then you compute the consequences of the guess to see what it implies and if it's right.  Then you compare those computation results to nature, compared directly with observation to see if it works.  He believes the key of science is:  If it disagrees with the experiment then it's wrong.

The Flipped Video Lesson # 5

I agree with most of this video lesson regarding the limits of knowledge.  It is just as the old saying goes, "you

learn something new everyday." I don't think we will ever stop learning nor will we every know everything either.  This universe and our lives are full of a vast variety of unanswered questions and as new things arise and are discovered there will always be much to be studied and learned, the unknowable or gaps.  Gaps that will never be filled.  Some scientists believe that they have come up with an answer or solution to a specific subject, but have they really?  I don't believe so.  One true statement in this video is that we don't know what a single thing is, nor will we ever know it all.

Eliminative Materialism 1-3

In terms of eliminative materialism, I find it rather disturbing that there is an old joke that says "Well, God did it" and entertaining the idea that God may have very well done it is used as a last resort.  Some scientists are stubbornly trying to find answers to consciousness, something that does not have a clear explanation and only after going through a list of academic disciplines such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, psychology, and sociology, then it's okay to say "Well, God did it."  This sounds rather contradicting, doesn't it?  So, it's okay to say that God did it after all the "academic disciplines" failed to give you the answer you were hoping to get?

The Death of Thor translates to the death and elimination of gods or spirits in favor of "more precise and accurate physiological explanations," but how is this proven to be accurate and precise?  I completely disagree with this assumption.  My feelings on this topic are strong on this subject because I do believe in God and that God is the reason and creator of all things.  I doubt that the evolving idea of materialistic explanation will eventually reduce or eliminate inexplicable phenomena as described in the video.  I find that Paul Churchland contradicts himself in regards to his idea of  "coming to understand how consciousness is produced by God only knows what mechanisms in the brain" as he states himself.  Isn't that an in itself an inexplicable phenomena?

http://youtu.be/LpJSeLY8cWs

Electric Surfing

This video reminded me of my Chemistry class in high school.  There I learned that Chemistry is the scientific study of matter and energy and how they interact, which is also the information I received from watching this video. Our entire universe is composed of billions of atoms that carry positive and negative charges that are balanced in matter.  Protons are positively charged particles found in the nucleus of atoms.  Electrons are negatively charged particles that can either be free or found in an atom.  Electrons and protons contain equal charges and when these electrons move from atom to atom it is called a current or electric circuit thus creating electricity.

Knowing all these facts as well as the structure of matter we can gain a clear understanding of electricity as well as the meaning of "the entire universe is composed of matter" since  the force that holds matter together has an electrical nature. We are part of this universe and considered to be made of matter.  This then says that us humans are matter and since matter is made of energy, we are also a form of energy.

Life of Pythagoras

Pythagoras was a Greek philosopher, born to Apollo and Pythias.  As a young man, Thales, a philosopher who really admired him, told Pythagoras that he was sure he would become the wisest and most divine of men if he traveled to Egypt and got in touch with the priests of Memphis and Jupiter.  Pythagoras set off to Egypt, but first stopped in his native country, Sidon.  There he gained more knowledge from prophets and local hierephants. He then continued on to Egypt where he spent 22 years discovering and gaining all the knowledge available to him until he was taken captive to Babylon where he spent 15 years studying science, arithmetic, and music. At the age of 56, he returned to Samos where his method of teaching wasn't accepted by the Simians so he moved on to Italy where he was very admired.  He shared his gained wisdom with young men and women and continued to do so for years to come.

Pythagoras was very unique and interesting.  He seemed to have a hunger for knowledge that couldn't be satisfied.  He became the founder of Pythagorean brotherhood that was religious in nature, but contained principles that influenced the thought of Plato and Aristotle.  His mannerism and teachings were either accepted or rejected by society, though it didn't stop him from moving on and teaching those that did accept his teachings and ways of thinking.  He was eager to share all that he had learned himself.  He went on to be one of the wisest and most divine of men just has Thales believed he would be.

The Limits of Science

The video states that all academic subjects such as science, math, and physics at some point reach a certain a limit when they are no longer able to practice, test, or prove certain data.  There are a lot of things that are  not testable due to lack of information or tools to do further exploration.  I disagree with the video when it says that the limits of our skulls are the limits of our understanding.  Our understanding of life occurrences and the way we process information does not stop at our skulls.  I see the point the narrator is trying to make, but our thinking process and reasoning goes far beyond what we think.  Just like these subjects reach a point where they can no longer be tested and proven, the same goes for the mass amount of information being transmitted in our brains and processed for understanding.  Our brain is such an amazing organ, its capabilities exceed our expectations and knowledge there of.  We never stop learning and acquiring new information for our brain to process.

The Emergence of Rationality: Wisdom in 56 seconds

The interpretation I received from this video is that after years of people believing in Gods and how they controlled their lives and environment, there began to be those who begged to differ or question its validity, one of them being Anaxagoras, a Greek philosopher.  Subsequently there was a chain reaction of others that began questioning these beliefs as well as seeking answers to the unanswered and solutions to the unresolved.  They began questioning everything in their surroundings.  How do things work?  What makes them work the way they do?  What is their purpose?

It is due to all the questioning, discoveries, and "thinking outside of the box", if you will, that the development of more advanced techniques and tools were produced.  As described in the video, instead of building temples for the Gods, having rituals, and singing hymns to the sun, they now had facts and figures, gadgets, charts, and numbers that gave them the results they sought.  At the end of the video, it sounds like the narrator was trying to say that people these days are bound together by technology and material things instead of love.  This point, I agree with.  Much has been lost due to technology, but simultaneously, a lot that has been gained.

Either/Or? : a primer on existentialism

Existentialism is defined as a philosophical theory or approach that emphasizes the existence of the individual person as a free and responsible agent determining their own development through acts of the will.  The question being asked in the film is "Who are you?"  Do we all know exactly who we are or who we want to be?  Have we found our place and purpose in life?  Where do we fit in with society?  Are we even trying to fit in or are we content being unique?

These are some of the questions that come to mind when I think what existentialism means to me.  I think we all go through life trying to figure out who we, who we want to be, and where we want to be in life.  There is a line in the very beginning of a song named Never Never Land by Lyfe Jennings that says, "there are two things in life that are constant:  that's change and change".  Our environment is constantly changing and us humans, just like a chameleons adapt to those changes in order to survive, but that doesn't mean that our true being changes.  I think this a diverse topic as some believe to know exactly who they are and their purpose, while others are still trying to figure it out.

The Flipped Video Lesson # 4

Where Are We?  The Vertigo of Place

Do we ultimately know where we are?

Just as the speaker says "...I had thought in terms of man's own limited dimension, I had presumed upon nature, that existence begins and ends is man's conception, not nature's".  In our early school age years, we have been taught our location by means of a globe, maps, and books as well as mankind's perception of "where we are", but ultimately, no, we do not know where we are. 

Much like the video describes, we live in a city within a state that lies on a country which is part of a planet that sits in this immense universe, but there is no clear and true answer as to where we really are.  What does our universe sit on?  Is there ever a concrete end and explanation to our location?  That has yet to be discovered.

The Flipped Video Lesson # 3

The Limits of Science:  Illuminated Ideas in 56 seconds

Do you think it may be possible to exceed our cranial limits?  If not, why not?  If so, how so?

Absolutely!!  It is one of those things, like many in philosophy, that we will never have a clear and definite answer.  I do, however, believe that it is impossible to stop learning or understanding.  Yes, our cranium only goes so far, but that does not mean our understanding and logic does too.  We can live an entire lifetime and never stop learning or understanding. 

How can anyone believe that there is a limit on our understanding?  Even when visiting Einstein's Limit of Light that says that we can only see so far with our telescopes within the parameters of relativity, it may be true that yes, you can only see so far, but that doesn't mean that the object(s) you're viewing necessarily end there.  For example, if you were to take a telescope and look into the sky, you'll only be able to see so far, but there is an entire universe beyond that that cannot be seen and its end cannot be determined.  With that being said, I do believe that it is possible to exceed our cranial limits.

How did Socrates die?

After reading this very interesting story on how Socrates died, I understood it more so than I did when I read it back in high school.  Socrates was a very wise man that stood firmly on what he believed in and he proved it with his exceptional argumentative skills as well as seeking truths through a series of questions, hence the Socratic dialogue.  He was condemned for his wisdom and believing in what others didn't.  He was accused of not believing in the gods recognized by the State and for the corruption of the Athenian youth with his teachings, simply because he spent his time discussing piety, justice, and virtue within his community.  Even after being found guilty and sentenced to death, he gave a good argument, and accepted his fate.  He never showed fear of death, instead he embraced it with the belief that death was a blessing.  Unlike his friends, he drank the poison that would end his life calmly and prayed that his departure into another world be happy and he urged his friends to do the same.


I admire him for giving such an extensive apology in such an intellectual manner.  It seems very unfair to be condemned for forming your own opinion and having your own set of beliefs.  How could he have corrupted the Athenian youth?  Did they not have a mind of their own?  If they believed in the teachings of Socrates, why weren't they condemned as well?  Sounds more like the Athenians who condemned him felt threatened by his beliefs and way of thinking.  This day in age our world is full of a vast variety of people who have different set of beliefs, cultures, point of views, and practices.  If those same ways existed today as the ones during the life of Socrates, the human race would become extinct.

Nietzsche's Myth of Eternal Recurrence

When discussing eternal recurrence such as Nietzsche's views, it sparks up some interesting personal opinions and reflections. It causes a bit of fear, curiosity, and a lot of hesitation.  If the possibility of reliving our lives time and time again with every same experience, feeling, and pain for all eternity existed, would this be a heavy burden on people?  The answer to this will definitely vary from person to person, depending on the course their life has taken.  What experiences have they gone through?  Good or bad?  Have they always made the right choices?  Have they led a happy or sorrowful life?  It would benefit some, but be a burden to others.  Would it make for a better world?  We'll never know.  Again it would depend on who would take so much care in what they did in order to make all the right decisions and live a "good" life.

Looking into my past and thinking about the painful, difficult moments, the struggles as well as the wonderful and happy moments I've had, would I want to relive it time and time again for eternity?  Absolutely not.  Moving forward, if I had to watch every move I made and question whether I was making the right or wrong decision, I would live a stressful life and it would be a very heavy burden for me.  Life would not be as meaningful and rewarding as it is now.  Would I even be living anymore?  There would be no quality of life.  How would I learn from my experiences if I had to "pre-plan" everything I did?  This topic arises many unanswered questions and I find it quite disturbing.


Nietzsche's Eternal Recurrence

Mysterium Tremendum ~ Part 1 & 2

I feel that in some way the views of philosophy, science, and religion have some sort of a connection, but simultaneously they are much different when defined and practiced.  Philosophy is defined as the rational investigation of the the truths and principles of being, knowledge, or conduct and the critical study of basic principles and concepts of a particular branch of knowledge. Science is defined as a branch of knowledge or study dealing with a body of facts or truths systematically arranged and showing the operation of general laws.  Religion is defined as a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.

For example, in order to determine what things and people are made of, how they are made, what do they consist of and so on, the method of producing an answer that satisfies each point of view differs in each study or belief.  In philosophy, the objective is to find a rational explanation based on wisdom.  It seems to me that there will never be a final and complete answer, there will always be a case of an answer to an original question that will lead to another question, like a chain reaction if you will.  Where in science there are facts that prove a final and correct answer.  Religion is more of what you believe to be the answer or explanation based on your views, not facts or further questioning any reasoning or explanation.

The Flipped Video Lesson # 2

What is the Chandian Effect? How did Faqir Chand come to realize the secret behind religious visions?

The Chandian Effect designates two major factors in transpersonal encounters.  It is the overwhelming experience of certainty and the subject of projection of sacred forms, figures, scenes by the meditator without the conscious knowledge of the object and person that it is beheld at the center of the experience.   Faqir Chand came to realize the secret behind religious visions while he was at war in Iraq in 1919.  After becoming aware that his army was low on ammunition, he began to fear for his life.  It was at that moment that he had an apparition by Hazur Data Dayal Ji telling him not to fear the opposition for they just wanted to pick up their dead, to allow them to do that and not waste the little ammunition they had left. He advised his major and the major followed the directions of the apparition.  By morning his army received the ammunition they were waiting for. They no longer had fear and they now felt safe.  The war ended about three months later.  Upon returning to Baghdad the Sat Sangis began worshiping him because they claimed he, Faqir Chanda, had appeared before them in the battlefield while they felt in great danger and feared for their lives and gave them directions that would save their lives.  They indeed followed those directions their lives were saved.  Faqir Chanda was shocked being that at that same moment, he too was in fear of his own life and had no knowledge of what they were going through.  This made Faqir Chand have questions within himself as to who really appeared to the Sat Sangis.  He came to the realization that the secrets behind religious visions are the true knowledge of feelings, visions, and images seen within, the unreal impressions created by the mind in a state of being awake, dreaming, and in deep sleep modes of consciousness.

The Flipped Video Lesson # 1

How can the conflict between religion and science be partially resolved by developing a better and richer understanding of the word "matter"?

Generally, the word "matter" is known to be an object that can in some instances be observed, but is made up of mass and takes up space. Religion can be defined as a set of practices and beliefs that says all things are created by a higher power; in my personal belief, that higher power is God. Science is defined as a study based on facts, observation, and experimentation. If we can keep an open mind and have an understanding that all things are in fact matter, including ourselves, whether we are beings of light, just a body or created by God, both religion and science can be satisfied thus partially resolving the conflict between the two.