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The Thomistic Institute
On the History and Philosophy of Light | Prof. Richard F. Hassing
Oct 9, 2024
In this engaging discussion, Richard F. Hassing, a Research Associate Professor at the Catholic University of America, delves into the fascinating evolution of light. He contrasts Aristotle's holistic view of perception with Descartes' ideas on sensation, revealing deep implications for the mind-body relationship. Hassing also explains the brain's role in color perception, emphasizing light's intricacies beyond mere object properties. His exploration spans from early philosophies to Einstein's relativity, showcasing light's profound impact on our understanding of the universe.
45:11
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Quick takeaways
- The podcast contrasts Aristotle's belief in a holistic relationship between sensory perception and the external world with Descartes's mechanistic separation of mind and matter.
- It also discusses the evolution of light theory, highlighting Einstein's revolutionary views that dismissed ether and established a constant speed of light across all reference frames.
Deep dives
The Mind-World Relation: Aristotle vs. Descartes
The podcast discusses the contrasting views of Aristotle and Descartes regarding the relationship between the mind and the material world, particularly in the context of light. Descartes separates the mind from the external world, asserting that sensory perceptions do not resemble their causes, and proposes that the mind processes sensations as colorless corpuscles. In contrast, Aristotle posits that the human soul inherently relates to the world, suggesting that our sensory experiences, such as vision, provide reliable access to reality. This difference highlights Aristotle's belief in a holistic understanding of the mind, where forms and colors are perceived in their actuality through light, unlike Descartes's notion of a divided perception within the brain.
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