Quote:
Originally Posted by Makhnov
Word on the street is that philosophy is concerned with finding problems instead of finding answers.
|
I suspect it depends on the philosopher.
Quote:
However, you should know that the most esteemed physicists are aware of the epistemological problems involved in claiming that they have (or would have) a Theory of Everything. Steven Weinberg recently admitted that there are some constants in nature that are so arbitrary, that he is led to believe that they only take on those values in a local pocket of our universe. After all, how could any physicists know for sure that the laws of physics do not look different in a very far-away place?
|
You'll never find an applied physicist who cares about epistemological problems, because applied physicists have resolved their epistemological issues a long time ago. How do they know they've detected a certain subatomic particle in one of their atom-smashing do-hickey's? Because their results confirm their theory-based expectations (which are based on both empirical evidence and reason). It's worked for them so far, and they'll continue to use it until it doesn't anymore.
As for theoretical physicists, they're actually mathematicians and not physical scientists.
Quote:
Try looking up the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy on google. It is run off itm.edu server. I'd link but I can't post links yet under this account. Check out the entry there on epistemology. It's good stuff.
|
I've seen it before. I'd use it more if I thought learning that type of stuff would enrich my life. I prefer to learn about things that pique my curiosity, and right now, philosophy for philosophy's sake just doesn't do it for me.
Epistemology is the high dude sitting in the corner, staring at his hand repeating in a long, drawn out, nasal voice "Dude, how do we even know that we know stuff?" I resolved my personal epistemological questions a long time ago and have yet to feel compelled to revisit them.