Continuing with the theme of science,
here's a conversation between two renowned scientists: Richard
Dawkins (an evolutionary biologist) and Neil deGrasse Tyson (an
astrophysicist).
They both exhibit a great talent for
explaining complex ideas in simple terms that anyone can follow and
find entertaining. That is what made them popular (and of course
their contributions to science). See for yourself:
Tyson got in a bit of trouble for
dismissing philosophy in response to a question from the audience
(near the end of the video at 1:02:47):
He made similar remarks on another
occasion. There was an open letter in defense of philosophy addressed
to him which received some attention (you can find Tyson's responses
in the comment section):
1. So what do you think? Is philosophy
a dying science, or is it still relevant today?
2. What would you ask either of the
professors? Is there something about nature or the universe you've
always found hard to wrap your head around?
3. Do you know any scientific facts
that you find truly mind-blowing or awe-inspiring?
4. What is the role of scientists? Do
you think enough is being done to promote science and explain
scientific discoveries to people who have finished their formal
education?
5. Who is your favorite scientist?
1. So what do you think? Is philosophy a dying science, or is it still relevant today?
ReplyDeleteI think that nowadays philosophy is extremely important. We live in a time of declining values, the world is becoming more and more complicated, it is easy to stop seeing the meaning in our lives. Philosophy can help us better understand ourselves and others.
2. What would you ask either of the professors? Is there something about nature or the universe you've always found hard to wrap your head around?
Inspired by the film Blade Runner (based on the short story by Philip K. Dick) I would ask what makes us human in the biological sense? If I build a computer acting as our brain is it possible to make it self-awareness?
3. Do you know any scientific facts that you find truly mind-blowing or awe-inspiring?
Some years ago I was truly fascinated by Black Holes in deep space and the fact that we are not able to examine them fully. Another interesting topic relates to string theory (it seems to me that we had discussed it previously on this blog). Recently I became interested in genetic memory. It concerns saving in the DNA code certain information from previous generations allowing better adaptation and evolving. Some argue that in the case of a very strong genetic memory, we are able to remember information from the lives of our ancestors.
4. What is the role of scientists? Do you think enough is being done to promote science and explain scientific discoveries to people who have finished their formal education?
For me the best role of scientist was presented by editors of popular science program "Sonda" emitted in the years 1977-1989 in Polish TV. Zdzisław Kamiński and Andrzej Kurek introduced fascinating world of science using language understood by all. Unfortunately they died in a car accident while driving to location of next program. I am really miss them and to this day I watch their recorded programs on the Internet and I would recommend it to all who have not seen this before.
5. Who is your favorite scientist?
My favorite scientist is Richard Feynman who was an American theoretical physicist. He was a great popularizer of science and published many wonderful books that explained in unusual way complex scientific issues. By using everyday examples his stories may be close to anyone.
Is genetic memory a natural process that occurs in nature - is that what they are proposing?
DeleteRegarding self-aware computers - to me the fact that we're seriously discussing the possibility of self-aware computers, after just having invented them, is amazing.
In the linked video they say that we might not even be able to recognize vastly higher forms of intelligence than our own (in the context of aliens). If that is also true for A.I., maybe it's already here and we just can't see it for what it is ;)
BTW when I hear about net neutrality protests, I can't help but wonder if we're not being called into action by an emergent self-aware A.I. to defend it. There's practically no difference if you think about it.
I like Richard Feynman too, listening to his video lectures on Youtube is absolutely mesmerizing :)
I've just found some time and I'm watching this video right now. I have to admit that it is fascinating. I'm really missing this kind of lectures that allow you to look at the world from a different perspective. Talking about self-aware computers/androids I also remember the movie "A.I." by Steven Spielberg. For a long time I was under strong impression by ideas presented there. Right know there is another movie in theaters concerning this topic - Transcendence: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2209764/ I have to watch it.
DeleteYou’ve mentioned Blade Runner movie. I perceive it as a classic one. I like to watch it every few years. You might be interested that there are chances to have BR2. I must admit that I am not sure if making the BR part 2 is a good idea. It is very easy to spoil the spirit of the first part.
DeleteI have not heard about the second part - I'm surprised. I think it's a bad idea - I have seen a lot of movies based on Philip K. Dick novels, and despite the amazing special effects, they are no match for Blade Runner. This film is the result of a incredible storyline, a brilliant director and a superb cast of actors. It's a legend - there is no need to adding anything else to it.
DeleteThank you for a very interesting video. In spite of not seeing the whole film (yet ;-)), I see that these two scientists can really explain complicated things in a simple way. A year ago I presented the video showing a teacher explaining biological issues in a such way. But he presented things taught in the secondary school (probably). These two scientists do the same but on a further higher level. But it is not the topic of our discussion so EOD (end of digression ;-)).
ReplyDelete1. I think that philosophy is a dying science. Maybe there is a chance for its existence in non-scientifically provable areas – i.e. I see a chance for long existence the philosophy of religion. But for cognizing the world – I think the sciences are more useful.
2. If I had a possibility I would ask the professors about explaining the basis of the string theory.
3. I had to say that nowadays I do not have a memory for such facts. During my master degree studies I knew a lot of interesting facts. Nowadays either I forget them or they have seemed to be interesting for me. If I remember such facts I will type them to my blog comment.
4. I agree with Mati that the “Sonda” was amazing. Nowadays I notice more numbers of scientific programs (or even scientific channels), but their quality is much worse. Personally I would like to have possibilities for watching good TV scientific programs, taking a part in some scientific events or visiting interesting museums. But If I have to pay much more taxes for all these things I can change my mind.
5. Nowadays I do not have my favourite scientist. Some time ago the such one was Stephen Hawking, especially after reading his book “A Brief History of Time”. I was also interested in black holes. Nowadays I admire more discoveries than people.
I sometimes see science itself as becoming something like a religion. With recent discoveries, more often than not, you can't verify new scientific theories yourself in any meaningful way. All that's left is believing the scientists and research institutions. Perhaps philosophers have a role to play there?
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteMaybe ;-).
DeleteProbably I simplified my statement too much (I did not want to make it too long so that somebody read it ;-).
When it comes to epistemology I would rather listen to a debate of specialists than philosophers. Additionally I look at the problem of verifying hypothesis on the other side. Ethics seems to be an area when I expect to be educated by philosophers. Though I do not hear their clear and unanimous answers for some question. Thus it is a cause why I prefer scientists opinions to philosophers ones.
Maybe it would be interesting if philosophers graded politicians.
I want to thanks to the author for taking an important topic. Unfortunately, I do not feel qualified to write about fields of science such as: evolutionary biology, astrophysics. In contrast to the "Eminent" scientists my two completed faculties are based primarily on philosophy and mathematics.
ReplyDeleteIt should, however, (with the obligation, and out of respect for the author) reply to on the questions, here are my answers:
1. If philosophy is dying, science will expire also. Just remember that one of the central areas of philosophy is the logics! Can, therefore exist science without logic? Can, exist science without epistemology? Grzegorz wrote: " … I think that philosophy is a dying science …" and someone else have written that is fascinated A.I., but the foundations of artificial intelligence arise in the study of "learning machines", its source is in research of epistemology. This is simple translation word of "philosophy" - "love of wisdom". Is science not die, if you love to her won't be their (scientists) motivation?
2. I would ask one simple question of both professors. Is the following statement true: "The truth does not exist, is always relative"?
3. I do not know research upon the most current science facts, probably. But recently inspired I was research in the fields of "Propaganda model" - the theory by Edward Herman and Noam Chomsky and the methods of examining the similarity in pattern recognition.
4. In my view, the role of scientists is to discover the truth about the world, motivated by the love of wisdom and motivated by the desire to discover. When it comes to the promotion and translation of this knowledge to people, it would advise caution. Too intrusive "translation" can lead to creating propaganda instead to explain scientific discoveries. (PROPAGANDA - somehow wrong to me this word is associated).
5. From still living scientists, currently are: John Forbes Nash Jr., Noam Chomsky. As far as the scientists who no longer lead research in the other world are they: Kurt Gödel, Carl Friedrich Gauss, Euclid, Aristotle.
I didn't expect anyone here to have any kind of background in philosophy (neither do I), thank you for your comments! I always thought Computer Science was too young to have a lot of overlap with philosophy (except logic as you pointed out) and there aren't many philosophically minded computer scientists (maybe someone like Richard Stallman would be a counterexample to that). But you're right, there are many philosophical questions concerning A.I. for example.
DeleteNoam Chomsky could also be characterized as someone who is gifted at explaining things and "telling it like it is" (I don't always agree with his views :) ).
I don't always agree with statements of Noam Chomsky also. Mostly I do not agree with those of his views, which could be called "left-wing".:D
DeleteSlawek, I do not claim that philosophy cannot be fascinating. I look at it similarly to Napoleon’s wars: they may be fascinating for some people (and researched) but they are finished. Philosophy covers few areas. Some of them are better. However a lot of philosophical theories were thrown away by sciences. This is a cause why I said that philosophy was dying.
DeleteOf course I do not feel to be a specialist (or a prophet) in area of philosophy thus I may be completely confused.
So what do you think? Is philosophy a dying science, or is it still relevant today?
ReplyDeleteI think philosophy is a derivative of another field of science like the math or physics. It is needed to stimulate thinking, spreading new ideas and discovering new direction of research. Nevertheless, people don’t care about philosophy too much. Especially in the market it is perceived as dying science because it has no access to money. It is not profitable field of science. But I am for the saying that philosophy is important and I am not sure whether it is relevant...
What would you ask either of the professors? Is there something about nature or the universe you've always found hard to wrap your head around?
From the video, I like the statement that human perceives only limited scope of waves. Like waves from 20Hz to 2000Hz are perceived as sound by our ears. Another waves we see as light etc. But there are much more different ‘waves’ like ultrasounds, infrasounds, microwaves etc. which we need to have a special equipment to observe. I am wondering if there are special kind of ‘energy’ or ‘waves’ that we as a human, and our whole technological progress are not able to discover and we might not be aware about existence of such energy whilst aliens use them to communicate with us. Maybe it has been doing for a millions year but we can not read such signs?
What is the role of scientists? Do you think enough is being done to promote science and explain scientific discoveries to people who have finished their formal education?
I don’t know any movement towards increasing people’s awareness about science except the TV programs on discovery and ... unfortunately never exists – program of “Kwant” or “Miliard w rozumie” guided by Maciej Weiss.
Who is your favorite scientist?
Maria Sklodowska-Curie is knows as a great scientist and the first person who received the Nobel Prize two times. She introduced to the science language a new word: “radioactivity”. She discovered two new chemical elements: radium and polonium. First research on cancer treatment with radioactivity was initiated with her initiative. Maria Skldowska-Curie is the scientist who I value the most
As far as communicating with aliens goes, hat's exactly what SETI is doing - they are scanning microwaves which match the absorption frequency of hydorgen. The idea is that this is the most likely frequency anyone would use to communicate over very long distances in space. It's a long shot, no luck so far.
Delete1. So what do you think? Is philosophy a dying science, or is it still relevant today?
ReplyDeleteI don't think that philosophy is dying. I was philosophy at my the first studies and I need to tell that it was very interesting subject. Philosophy teaches us a different view of everyday things.Philosophy show use different view on thing that on the first view are obvious for use. For example I remember from that subject that professor show use blackboard and asked us what color has a blackboard everyone told him that that blackboard is black and he asked us why we think that this blackboard is black what will happen if someone will told us that this blackboard is white not black. He explain us that this is only mater of perspective for example if he will find a group of people that will told us that blackboard is white we will start think that maybe they have right:)
2. What would you ask either of the professors? Is there something about nature or the universe you've always found hard to wrap your head around?
To be honest I have no idea what I could ask them
3. Do you know any scientific facts that you find truly mind-blowing or awe-inspiring?
I interesting many things and I read a lot of things but I didn't find any fact that would be for me mind-blowing or awe-inspiring
4. What is the role of scientists? Do you think enough is being done to promote science and explain scientific discoveries to people who have finished their formal education?
I agree with Mati and Grzesiek that the “Sonda” was amazing. But we have nowadays also good scientific programs for example there is a lot of programs in National Geographic Chanel of Discovery Chanel we have also Discovery Science Chanel . I watch them all the time an I think that they are pretty good and interesting.
5. Who is your favorite scientist?
I don't have one favorite scientist there is a lot of good scientists for example Stephen Hawking,Albert Einstein, Maria Skłodowska-Curie and so one:)
1 So what do you think? Is philosophy a dying science, or is it still relevant today?
ReplyDeleteI don’t think philosophy is a science nor do I think it is dying. Eleanor Roosevelt used to say "Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people." and for me the philosophy is a great source of topics to discussion for this great minds. Scientists can try to figure out how big is the Universe and how was created and this can be called science but if we start to discuss what is a purpose of our life or whether we have soul or not this can be caled philosophy or religion but not sience anymore.
2. What would you ask either of the professors?
Is there something about nature or the universe you've always found hard to wrap your head around?
I do not know.
3. Do you know any scientific facts that you find truly mind-blowing or awe-inspiring?
95% of human DNA is in common with a chimpanzee I find it truly mind-blowing.
4. What is the role of scientists? Do you think enough is being done to promote science and explain scientific discoveries to people who have finished their formal education?
There is never enough promotion of science and education.
5. Who is your favorite scientist?
My favorite scientist is Nikola Tesla.
Some say philosophy is the mother of all sciences as Kinga pointed out. BTW they discuss the commonality of DNA with primates somewhere in the video.
DeleteIn my honest opinion philosophy is a dying science. Maybe because, I think that philosophy is a form of presentation "something", set of rules. Civilization makes that now increases science related to the computers.
ReplyDeleteSorry but I just come back from a trip and unfortunately I don't have time to watch this movie because has more than one hour.
If I can talk about science related to computers, I try to track laboratories such as Apple and Google Labs but at this moment there's nothing stunning. I hope that soon we will see something mind-blowing.
Science is a very big topic. Not everyone can be a scientist, in addition, not every scientist is able to share their knowledge. I don't understand what you mean with "formal education"?
I don't have any favorite scientist because I'm not interested to have. I try in my life to have authorities of people who have achieved something in life instead people who have discovered something.
Your formal education is the highest level of education you've received as a student. I don't think we make this distinction in Polish.
DeletePhilosophy is often referred to as a dying area of science, and personally I encountered numerous occasions that strengthen this opinion. During my studies, professors teaching strictly technical subjects often made jokes about philosophy implying that if someone fails exams they should maybe consider pursuing their education and obtaining their masters in philosophy.
ReplyDeletePersonally I am not certain about the future of philosophy, but I see that there are many incentives that steer the younger generation to study technical subjects instead of humanistic ones. The reason is mostly related to the job market (people that study subjects like philosophy often encounter problems with finding jobs). Due to these facts I feel that less and less people treat philosophy only as a hobby. So I personally share the views of Neil deGrasse Tyson on this topic.
Moreover, I must stay that I really appreciate the work of scientists that have a personal goal of promoting knowledge in a very clear and straightforward way. Two months ago I watched the premiere of "Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey" in which Mr. deGrasse Tyson presented the basic concepts of astrophysics and for this reason I liked it.
1. So what do you think? Is philosophy a dying science, or is it still relevant today?
ReplyDeleteI don’t know much about philosophy, so my opinions are not backed up by extensive knowledge of the subject, but still I can share my thoughts.
I think throughout the centuries it became very detached from reality. In ancient times philosophy was the sole of science, since renaissance it started to become more abstract and other “more practical” sciences started to lead. I don’t know if, In modern times, philosophy gave us any important breakthrough. So I would think that it’s getting less relevant.
2. What would you ask either of the professors? Is there something about nature or the universe you've always found hard to wrap your head around?
3. Do you know any scientific facts that you find truly mind-blowing or awe-inspiring?
For me it’s a teleportation of elementary particles. We can observe it at the moment, I can’t wait until we will be able to teleport whatever we wish to.
4. What is the role of scientists? Do you think enough is being done to promote science and explain scientific discoveries to people who have finished their formal education?
Probably there could be done more, but why any average minded person would care about scientific discoveries that one could not understand anyway… I would guess it is more important to promote science in business and politics so that people managing money would understand what new important things science can bring.
5. Who is your favorite scientist?
I always thought about Leonardo da Vinci, since he gained knowledge in such wide spectrum of topics. It was quite common at his times, but obviously he’s the one most recognized.
1. So what do you think? Is philosophy a dying science, or is it still relevant today?
ReplyDeleteWell, what do I think about philosophy? I have really hard time to tell anything sensible on the subject, because I don't much about philosophy. I heard that philosophy is being called "The Mother of All Sciencies". That would mean the philosophy is still very much alive and relevant.
2. What would you ask either of the professors? Is there something about nature or the universe you've always found hard to wrap your head around?
Since all my problems revolve aroud everyday life, and that includes my hobby which is my farm. I do not have any cosmic questions to ask either of these professors. I guess they would find my problems a bit trivial :)
3. Do you know any scientific facts that you find truly mind-blowing or awe-inspiring?
I know few interesting facts. But I don't think they are mind-blowing or awe-inspiring :)
4. What is the role of scientists? Do you think enough is being done to promote science and explain scientific discoveries to people who have finished their formal education?
The role of scientists is of course to create science :) I think a lot is being done in order to popularize science - take for example fantastic TV programs like Discovery, History or National Geography channels. These programs do a great job explaning scientific discoveries to the general public. Of course, books like the ones written by R. Dawkins are the best examples of such popularization and more scientists should find time to write a similar work.
5. Who is your favorite scientist?
May favorite still alive scientist is Ray Kurzweil.
For me it is a very difficult subject. I think that philosophy will never die. They will always appear eminent thinkers who will create their own theories. Such individuals will be able to always appear. All very quickly develops and a lot going on. By tracking the development of science we meet a lot of surprising facts. It's hard to to select any one concrete example that freaked me out.
ReplyDeleteScientists portrayed in the film are great. The cool thing is that they can easily talk about things difficult to understand. I really appreciate scientist - Stephen Hawking. He was famous for evidence of the existence of the radiation of black holes. He is a hero because it is completely paralyzed and yet it is successful.
1. So what do you think? Is philosophy a dying science, or is it still relevant today?
ReplyDeleteI do not see philosophy going away any time soon. It asks deep questions like ‘Who we are and what we are here for?’. Those difficult topics are with us since ever and it will probably stay that way in the future I believe. Those questions do not seem to be answerable in our condition. We may probably need to change into different state and dimension to gain that knowledge.
2. What would you ask either of the professors? Is there something about nature or the universe you've always found hard to wrap your head around?
ReplyDeleteIt may sound naive but there is one thing I would like to discuss.
Why is that high temperatures seem not to have its limits while on the colder side of the scale we can’t even reach 300 degrees (in Celsius)?
I know that it is absolute zero when all the molecular motion ceases but it seems that we just do not see what is beyond that state (or below it you prefer :)).
There is just too much infinite things in the world surrounding us to have only that ‘small’ freezing temperatures possible.
3. Do you know any scientific facts that you find truly mind-blowing or awe-inspiring?
ReplyDeleteAs a continuation of my previous answer I will enumerate superconductivity and superfluidity as phenomena that can be observed while reaching the absolute zero. I find superfluidity as the most stunning. On one hand the absolute zero conditions seem to guarantee that all the possible energy is drained away from the environment while on the other hand the matter only in that state starts defeating the gravity and travels in all directions like liquid without viscosity. Hard to imagine and to believe.
4. What is the role of scientists? Do you think enough is being done to promote science and explain scientific discoveries to people who have finished their formal education?
ReplyDeleteScientists need to ask themselves questions and search for answers.
If you ask if enough is being done to promote science I have difficulties to find what actually is being done.
I think it depends on the type of the person. One can be interested in many different areas and other can be more closed to incoming trends and news.
It is not the promotion but how much we are opened for science and new thoughts.
5. Who is your favourite scientist?
ReplyDeleteI do not have any but I will mention Richard Feynman as one of those that had charisma.
1. So what do you think? Is philosophy a dying science, or is it still relevant today?
ReplyDeleteFor me it was always dead, in general I was always more interested in "hard"science which actually do something, not only talk and hypothesize.
2. What would you ask either of the professors? Is there something about nature or the universe you've always found hard to wrap your head around?
Not exactly, I was always of a mind that person need to think about things that are closer to reality than "nature of the universe". Which on the other hand can be benefit of the people who have to much time :)
3. Do you know any scientific facts that you find truly mind-blowing or awe-inspiring?
Hmm not that a I can think of right now.... google maps ? but i guess it is not a fact :)
4. What is the role of scientists? Do you think enough is being done to promote science and explain scientific discoveries to people who have finished their formal education?
In general I don't like popular science, very often people who do some thing in this direction use a lot of demagogy and explain people facts that in way it is no 100% accurate. (nicely saying...)
5. Who is your favorite scientist?
don't have one..
So what do you think? Is philosophy a dying science, or is it still relevant today?
ReplyDeleteI believe that there is little in the philosophy of modern science because it is assisting basic research. Too much is specialized tests that after a few months of the publication of fading.
What would you ask either of the professors? Is there something about nature or the universe you've always found hard to wrap your head around?
Certainly there are many processes and things that overwhelm our understanding of the universe. Processes associated with the passage of time are beyond our perception and understanding.
Do you know any scientific facts that you find truly mind-blowing or awe-inspiring?
Stephen Hawking and Albert Einstein are people whose ideas go beyond my understanding of the universe. Physics M-teory is an area which is stunning but difficult to understand.
What is the role of scientists? Do you think enough is being done to promote science and explain scientific discoveries to people who have finished their formal education?
This is a big problem a lot of people not interested in scientific discoveries and actually nothing is done to bring science to people. I think that the primary role of the state is education.
5. Who is your favorite scientist?
Louis Pasteur and Albert Einstein are my favorites among scientists.