Do Explain with Christofer Lövgren #57 - [Half Episode] Truth and Abstractions, with David Deutsch and Jake Orthwein
Oct 28, 2024
David Deutsch, a physicist at Oxford and author known for his work in quantum computation, joins Jake Orthwein for a deep dive into the nature of truth and abstraction. They dissect how language shapes our understanding of reality and the inherent ambiguities it carries. The duo discusses the evolution of ideas akin to biological evolution, exploring how knowledge develops dynamically and contextually. They also touch on constructor theory, challenging traditional views of physical laws and the intricate relationship between scientific inquiry and philosophical perspectives.
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World vs Statement Ambiguity
- The world itself is not ambiguous; ambiguity applies only to statements or propositions about it.
- Ontologies differ by context and purpose, so what counts as an object varies accordingly.
Meaning is Conjecture, Not Induction
- Propositions are abstractions and don't gain meaning from use; statements gain meaning through cultural context.
- Meaning is conjectural and correctable, not inductively learned by mere repetition.
Parochialism Isn't Always Bad
- Parochial views have narrow context but are not inherently bad unless universality is the goal.
- Scientific definitions can differ from everyday meanings without invalidating either.
