Justified Beliefs, Brains in Vats, and the End of Inquiry - Kane B, Philosopher DSPod 186
Sep 14, 2023
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In this podcast, Kane B, a public philosopher, discusses the nature of reality, justifying knowledge, source of conspiracies, skepticism as a lifestyle, brain in a vat, evaluating if we're living in a dream, philosophy of mind, zombies, epistemology of the academe, math as language, end of inquiry, science as interrelation, and why bother with philosophy.
Skepticism challenges the distinction between dreams and reality, suggesting they may be part of the same existence.
The concept of extended mind explores how cognitive states can extend beyond the brain, incorporating objects like notebooks.
Scientific theories are viewed as instrumental tools for predicting and controlling observable phenomena, rather than ultimate truth.
The relationship between science and engineering is discussed, with physics leaning towards engineering and biology towards comprehensive exploration.
Mathematics provides powerful tools for understanding the world, but its applicability often requires simplification and idealization.
Deep dives
The Interpretation of Dreams and Reality
The speaker discusses the concept of skepticism and how it relates to the distinction between dreams and reality. While there may be some differences between the two, the speaker argues that they are not significant enough to rule out the possibility that our experiences are part of the same kind of existence.
Extended Mind and the Boundaries of the Self
The concept of extended mind is explored, which suggests that cognitive states can extend beyond the confines of the brain. The speaker discusses how objects like notebooks can become part of the mind, aiding in cognitive processes. However, there is a limit to the extension of the mind, and the body itself plays a crucial role in shaping our mental experiences.
Instrumentalism and Scientific Theories
The speaker leans towards an instrumentalist view of scientific theories, suggesting that they serve as useful tools for predicting, systematizing, and controlling observable phenomena. While acknowledging the importance of underlying regularities, the speaker believes that scientific theories provide instrumental success rather than an ultimate understanding of truth.
Science as an Engineering Method
The conversation delves into the relationship between science and engineering. It is argued that science often focuses on creating practical and predictive models and equations, while engineering applies these models to create useful outcomes. The distinction is made between the physics as an engineering-oriented discipline and biology as a more comprehensive exploration of nature.
The Role of Mathematics in Understanding the World
Mathematics plays a crucial role in understanding the world through its ability to describe and predict phenomena. However, the applicability of mathematics to real-world situations often requires simplifications and idealizations. By abstracting from specific details, mathematics can provide powerful tools for modeling and making predictions, as seen in the example of using differential equations to describe the behavior of a pendulum. It is important to recognize that while mathematical models can be highly successful in certain contexts, they are not always exact representations of the underlying reality.
The Challenge of Defining Knowledge
Defining knowledge is a complex task that has puzzled philosophers for centuries. Traditionally, knowledge was defined as justified true belief, where one believes something that is true and is justified in holding that belief. However, the idea of justification is itself difficult to pin down, leading to ongoing debates. It is also challenging to determine what counts as the criteria for truth and how we can establish the correspondence of our beliefs with reality. These issues highlight the inherent complexity of defining knowledge and the diverse perspectives people hold on what can be considered as true.
Science, Institutions, and Bias
The practice of science is influenced by various factors, including institutional structures, biases, and external pressures. While science aims to be an objective pursuit of knowledge, external influences can impact the process and dissemination of scientific findings. For example, the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated how political and economic considerations can shape the communication and interpretation of scientific information. The complex interplay between state, corporate, and scientific interests raises questions about the objectivity and trustworthiness of scientific institutions. It is essential to critically evaluate scientific claims and scrutinize the underlying motivations and potential biases behind them.
Challenges of Anti-Realism and Responsibility
Anti-realism can be seen as an escapist method to avoid personal responsibility. It questions the structural explanations for consciousness and promotes the idea that nothing is real. This can lead to a lack of accountability for one's actions. However, the anti-realist perspective also highlights the importance of hard work, creativity, and imagination in scientific endeavors. Success is not solely determined by discovering the truth, but rather by the inventiveness and constructive efforts of scientists.
The Future of Science and Compromises
The future of science and its potential for radical changes is uncertain. While there have been historical revolutions that completely transformed our worldview, it is plausible that we may have reached a point of fewer radical shifts. The increasing systematization and hyper-specialization of science may contribute to a more fixed current worldview. However, the focus on interpreting scientific equations and exploring nuances may shape future scientific breakthroughs and technological advancements. Finding middle ground between opposing viewpoints on complex issues, such as climate change, can be challenging. Compromises require understanding various perspectives and building coalitions to implement effective solutions while considering the wider impacts of our choices.
@KaneB is a public philosopher who focuses on the philosophy of science, the source of knowledge, and the construction of beliefs. We discuss the nature of reality, how it’s possible to justify knowledge, the source of conspiracies, skepticism as a philosophical lifestyle, the difficulty of knowing if we’re really alive or if we’re just a brain in a vat, and if it’s really that difficult to evaluate if we’re living in a dream or not.
00:00:00 Go!
00:00:17 Who is Kane Baker?
00:01:58 What's left in Philosophy
00:06:14 Gap in physics and philosophy
00:12:51 Condensing ideas & transforming scales of ideas
00:18:39 Choosing Beliefs
00:20:46 Patreon Ask
00:24:44 Brains in vats?
00:29:58 Observation, knowledge, & simulations
00:35:33 Dreaming coherence
00:45:35 Philosophy of Mind
00:50:53 Zombies
00:53:06 Epistemology of the academe
01:04:58 Water off a Duck's Back
01:18:35 Ideal Claims
01:27:23 Math as Language
01:32:31 End of Inquiry
01:39:42 Realists, Antirealists & Synthesists
01:47:26 Science as Interrelation
01:54:10 Why Bother?
02:01:27 Laying Blame
02:10:00 The right knob to twist
02:22:12 Philosophers argue for everything
02:30:00 Closing thoughts
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#philosophyofscience #philosophy #skepticism #truebeliefs #epistemology #knowledge
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PODCAST INFO: Anastasia completed her PhD studying bioelectricity at Columbia University. When not talking to brilliant people or making movies, she spends her time painting, reading, and guiding backcountry excursions. Shilo also did his PhD at Columbia studying the elastic properties of molecular water. When he's not in the film studio, he's exploring sound in music. They are both freelance professors at various universities.
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MUSIC:
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