Download or read book A Journey through Philosophy in 101 Anecdotes written by Nicholas Rescher and published by University of Pittsburgh Press. This book was released on 2015-05-19 with total page 257 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Nicholas Rescher presents the first comprehensive chronology of philosophical anecdotes, spanning from antiquity to the current era. He introduces us to the major thinkers, texts, and historical periods of Western philosophy, recounting many of the stories philosophers have used over time to engage with issues of philosophical concern: questions of meaning, truth, knowledge, value, action, and ethics. Rescher's anecdotes touch on a wide range of themes—from logic to epistemology, ethics to metaphysics—and offer much insight into the breadth and depth of philosophical inquiry. This book illustrates the various ways philosophers throughout history have viewed the issues in their field, and how anecdotes can work to inform and encourage philosophical thought.
Download or read book Ignorance written by Nicholas Rescher and published by University of Pittsburgh Pre. This book was released on 2009-02-28 with total page 187 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Historically, there has been great deliberation about the limits of human knowledge. Isaac Newton, recognizing his own shortcomings, once described himself as "a boy standing on the seashore . . . whilst the great ocean of truth lay all underscored before me."In Ignorance, Nicholas Rescher presents a broad-ranging study that examines the manifestations, consequences, and occasional benefits of ignorance in areas of philosophy, scientific endeavor, and ordinary life. Citing philosophers, theologians, and scientists from Socrates to Steven Hawking, Rescher seeks to uncover the factors that hinder our cognition. Rescher categorizes ignorance as ontologically grounded (rooted in acts of nature-erasure, chaos, and chance-that prevent fact determination), or epistemically grounded (the inadequacy of our information-securing resources). He then defines the basis of ignorance: inaccessible data; statistical fogs; secreted information; past data that have left no trace; future discoveries; future contingencies; vagrant predicates; and superior intelligences. Such impediments set limits to inquiry and mean that while we can always extend our existing knowledge-variability here is infinite-there are things that we will never know.Cognitive finitude also hinders our ability to assimilate more than a certain number of facts. We may acquire additional information, but lack the facility to interpret it. More information does not always increase knowledge; it may point us further down the path toward an erroneous conclusion. In light of these deficiencies, Rescher looks to the role of computers in solving problems and expanding our knowledge base, but finds limits to their reasoning capacity. As Rescher's comprehensive study concludes, ignorance itself is a fertile topic for knowledge, and recognizing the boundaries of our comprehension is where wisdom begins.
Download or read book Process Philosophy written by Nicholas Rescher and published by University of Pittsburgh Pre. This book was released on 2012-01-11 with total page 153 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Process Philosophy surveys the basic issues and controversies surrounding the philosophical approach known as "process philosophy." Process philosophy views temporality, activity, and change as the cardinal factors for our understanding of the real—process has priority over product, both ontologically and epistemically. Rescher examines the movement’s historical origins, reflecting a major line of thought in the work of such philosophers as Heracleitus, Leibniz, Bergson, Peirce, William James, and especially A. N. Whitehead. Reacting against the tendency to associate process philosophy too closely with this last-named thinker, Rescher writes, “Indeed, one cardinal task for the partisans of process at this particular juncture of philosophical history is to prevent the idea of 'process philosophy' from being marginalized through a limitation of its bearing to the work and influence of any one single individual or group.” This book will appeal to both students and professors of philosophy. Those teachers who have not been trained in process philosophy will welcome this new text by one one of North America’s foremost philosophers as a perspicuous and informative introduction.
Download or read book Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar written by Thomas Cathcart and published by Penguin. This book was released on 2008-06-24 with total page 224 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This New York Times bestseller is the hilarious philosophy course everyone wishes they’d had in school. Outrageously funny, Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar... has been a breakout bestseller ever since authors—and born vaudevillians—Thomas Cathcart and Daniel Klein did their schtick on NPR’s Weekend Edition. Lively, original, and powerfully informative, Plato and a Platypus Walk Into a Bar... is a not-so-reverent crash course through the great philosophical thinkers and traditions, from Existentialism (What do Hegel and Bette Midler have in common?) to Logic (Sherlock Holmes never deduced anything). Philosophy 101 for those who like to take the heavy stuff lightly, this is a joy to read—and finally, it all makes sense! And now, you can read Daniel Klein's further musings on life and philosophy in Travels with Epicurus and Every Time I Find the Meaning of Life, They Change it.
Download or read book Cognitive Harmony written by Nicholas Rescher and published by University of Pittsburgh Pre. This book was released on 2010-06-15 with total page 131 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This novel approach to epistemological discourse explains the complex but crucial role that systematization plays-not just for the organization of what we know, but also for its validation. Cognitive Harmony argues for a new conception of the process philosophers generally call induction. Relying on the root definition of harmony, a coherent unification of component parts (systemic integrity) in such a way that the final object can successfully accomplish what it was meant to do (evaluative positivity), Rescher discusses the role of harmony in cognitive contexts, the history of cognitive harmony, and the various features it has in producing human knowledge. The book ends on the issue of philosophy and the sort of harmony required of philosophical systems.
Download or read book Cognitive Pragmatism written by Nicholas Rescher and published by University of Pittsburgh Pre. This book was released on 2017-03-13 with total page 265 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In Cognitive Pragmatism, Nicholas Rescher tackles the major questions of philosophical inquiry, pondering the nature of truth and existence. In the authoritative voice and calculated manner that we've come to expect from this distinguished philosopher, Rescher argues that the development of knowledge is a practice, pursued by humans because we have a need for its products. This pragmatic approach satisfies our innate urge as humans to make sense of our surroundings.Taking his discussion down to the level of particular details, and addressing such topics as inductive validation, hypostatization fallacies, and counterfactual reasoning, Rescher abandons abstract generalities in favor of concrete specifics. For example, philosophers usually insist that to reason logically from a counterfactual, we must imagine a possible world in which the statement is fact. But Rescher argues that there's no need to attempt to accept the facts of a world outside our cognition in order to reason from them. He shows us how we can use our own natural system of prioritizing, our own understanding of the fundamental, to resolve the inconsistencies in such statements as, "If the Eiffel Tower were in Manhattan, then it would be in New York State." In using dozens of real-world examples such as these, and in arguing in his characteristically succinct style, Rescher casts light on a wide variety of concrete issues in the classical theory of knowledge, and reassures us along the way that the inherent limitations on our knowledge are no cause for distress. In pragmatic theory and inquiry, we must accept that the best we can do is good enough, because we only have a certain (albeit large) set of tools and conceptualizations available to us.A unique synthesis, this endeavor into pragmatic epistemology will be of interest to scholars and students of philosophy and cognitive science.
Download or read book Cognitive Economy written by Nicholas Rescher and published by University of Pittsburgh Pre. This book was released on 2017-03-13 with total page 179 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Cost, expected benefits, and risks are paramount in grant agencies' decisions to fund scientific research. In Cognitive Economy, Nicholas Rescher outlines a general theory for the cost-effective use of intellectual resources, amplifying the theories of Charles Sanders Pierce, who stressed an “economy of research.” Rescher discusses the requirements of cooperation, communication, cognitive importance, cognitive economy, as well as the economic factors bearing on induction and simplicity. He then applies his model to several case studies and to clarifying the limits imposed on science by economic considerations.
Download or read book Realism And Pragmatic Epistemology written by Nicholas Rescher and published by University of Pittsburgh Pre. This book was released on 2014-02-06 with total page 141 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An examination of philosophical realism from the standpoint of pragmatic epistemology, Realism and Pragmatic Epistemology addresses the core idea of Rescher's work in epistemology: that functional and pragmatic concerns exert a controlling influence on the conduct of rational inquiry and on the ways in which we can and should regard its products.Pragmatism is widely regarded as a philosophical approach that stands at odds with realism, but Rescher takes a very different approach. He views pragmatism as a realistic position that can be developed from a pragmatic point of view, and utilizes a number of case studies to augment his position. Throughout, he shows how the pragmatic and purposive setting of our putative knowledge of the real world proves to be crucial for the constituting and also for the constitution of our knowledge.
Download or read book GOOD DIGITAL CITIZEN written by Kori Kastell and published by Archway Publishing. This book was released on 2024-10-28 with total page 128 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In a world where it takes just seconds (or nanoseconds) to connect, contact, communicate, and comment in our shared online community, what will you show the world? In the 86,400 seconds that make up your day, what contributions will you make to the online global forum? Will your online interactions yield positive outcomes? Will they promote digital peace or digital peril? In Good Digital Citizen: Everyday Ethics for an Intentional Digital Existence, Kori Kastell navigates the complex landscape of our increasingly digital world, offering a thoughtful exploration of the ethical challenges and opportunities that come with technological advancements. As we stand at the dawn of the Fifth Industrial Revolution, where human strengths are expected to harmonize with innovations like AI and IoT, this book serves as a crucial guide for navigating the digital age with integrity and intention. Drawing on historical and philosophical insights, the author explores how principles from ancient up to present-day thinkers can help us address these modern ethical dilemmas. Good Digital Citizen provides practical steps for managing information overload, setting boundaries for digital engagement, and maintaining emotional well-being through practices like “Stoic scrolling.” Kastell emphasizes the importance of truth and integrity in online interactions, urging readers to fact-check information and engage in empathetic communication, and highlights the need for heightened awareness and transparency around data privacy and user rights to promote greater digital justice. By embracing everyday ethics and striving for digital peace, we can create a more just, connected, and harmonious world as we move into the Fifth Industrial Revolution. The mission is yours, Digital Citizen, if you choose to accept it.
Download or read book Studies in Arabic Philosophy written by Nicholas Rescher and published by University of Pittsburgh Pre. This book was released on 2010-11-23 with total page 173 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Nicholas Rescher presents ten essays that offer the thoughts of major Arabic philosophers in history and speak to their origins in Greek philosophy, as well as the subsequent influence of Arabic philosophy on the West. Much of the material is presented for the first time in print. Topics include: the concentric structure of the universe; the concept of existence; the Theory of Temporal Modalities; the Platonic Solids; and several essays on logic.
Download or read book Luck written by Nicholas Rescher and published by University of Pittsburgh Pre. This book was released on 2001-03-15 with total page 250 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Luck touches us all. "Why me?" we complain when things go wrong—though seldom when things go right. But although luck has a firm hold on all our lives, we seldom reflect on it in a cogent, concerted way. In Luck, one of our most eminent philosophers offers a realistic view of the nature and operation of luck to help us come to sensible terms with life in a chaotic world. Differentiating luck from fate (inexorable destiny) and fortune (mere chance), Nicholas Rescher weaves a colorful tapestry of historical examples, from the use of lots in the Old and New Testaments to Thomas Gataker’s treatise of 1619 on the great English lottery of 1612, from casino gambling to playing the stock market. Because we are creatures of limited knowledge who do and must make decisions in the light of incomplete information, Rescher argues, we are inevitably at the mercy of luck. It behooves us to learn more about it.
Download or read book Method Intuition and Meditation in Descartes Meditations on First Philosophy written by Stanley Tweyman and published by Cambridge Scholars Publishing. This book was released on 2023-07-07 with total page 172 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book deals with Descartes’ efforts in his Meditations to discover the first principles of human knowledge, that is, what must be known before anything else can be known. In order for these principles to be first principles, they cannot be conclusions obtained through deductive reasoning. Further, Descartes insists that these first principles cannot be known through the senses, but only through intuition or meditation, our only cognitive faculties for grasping self-evident first principles. This book provides Descartes’ reasons for rejecting the senses as the source of these first principles, and offers textual support for the role of intuition and meditation in apprehending the first principles of human knowledge. Although the bulk of the book is largely exegetical in nature, the last chapter proceeds more critically to show the failures of Descartes’ approach.
Download or read book Aporetics written by Nicholas Rescher and published by University of Pittsburgh Pre. This book was released on 2009-02-15 with total page 174 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The word apory stems from the Greek aporia, meaning impasse or perplexing difficulty. In Aporetics, Nicholas Rescher defines an apory as a group of individually plausible but collectively incompatible theses. Rescher examines historic, formulaic, and systematic apories and couples these with aporetic theory from other authors to form this original and comprehensive survey. Citing thinkers from the pre-Socratics through Spinoza, Hegel, and Nicolai Hartmann, he builds a framework for coping with the complexities of divergent theses, and shows in detail how aporetic analysis can be applied to a variety of fields including philosophy, mathematics, linguistics, logic, and intellectual history.Rescher's in-depth examination reveals how aporetic inconsistency can be managed through a plausibility analysis that breaks the chain of inconsistency at its weakest link by deploying right-of-way precedence based on considerations of cognitive centrality. Thus while involvement with cognitive conflicts and inconsistencies are pervasive in human thought, aporetic analysis can provide an effective means of damage control.
Download or read book The New Oxford Book of Literary Anecdotes written by John Gross and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2008 with total page 400 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In The New Oxford Book of Literary Anecdotes, master anthologist John Gross brings together a delectable smorgasbord of literary tales, offering striking new insight into some of the most important writers in history. Many of the anecdotes here are funny, others are touching, outrageous, sinister, inspiring, or downright weird. They show writers from Chaucer to Bob Dylan acting both unpredictably and deeply in character. The range is wide--this is a book which finds room for Milton and Shakespeare, Mark Twain and Walt Whitman, Kurt Vonnegut and P. G. Wodehouse, Chinua Achebe and Salman Rushdie, James Baldwin and Tom Wolfe. It is also a book in which you can find out which great historian's face was once mistaken for a baby's bottom, which film star experienced a haunting encounter with Virginia Woolf not long before her death, and what Agatha Christie really thought of her popular character Hercule Poirot. It is in short an unrivalled collection of literary gossip offering intimate glimpses into the lives of authors ranging from Shakespeare to Philip Roth--a book not just for lovers of literature, but for anyone with a taste for the curiosities of human nature.
Download or read book Philosophical Problems of the Internal and External Worlds written by John Earman and published by University of Pittsburgh Pre. This book was released on 2014-02-06 with total page 641 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The inaugural volume of the Pittsburgh-Konstanz series, devoted to the work of philosopher Adolf GrŸnbaum, encompasses the philosophical problems of space, time, and cosmology, the nature of scientific methodology, and the foundations of psychoanalysis.
Download or read book Nasty Brutish and Short written by Scott Hershovitz and published by Penguin. This book was released on 2022-05-03 with total page 385 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An NPR Best Book of 2022 * One of Christian Science Monitor's 10 best books of May “This amazing new book . . . takes us on a journey through classic and contemporary philosophy powered by questions like ‘What do we have the right to do? When is it okay to do this or that?’ They explore punishment and authority and sex and gender and race and the nature of truth and knowledge and the existence of God and the meaning of life and Scott just does an incredible job.” —Ryan Holiday, The Daily Stoic Some of the best philosophers in the world gather in surprising places—preschools and playgrounds. They debate questions about metaphysics and morality, even though they’ve never heard the words and perhaps can’t even tie their shoes. They’re kids. And as Scott Hershovitz shows in this delightful debut, they’re astoundingly good philosophers. Hershovitz has two young sons, Rex and Hank. From the time they could talk, he noticed that they raised philosophical questions and were determined to answer them. They re-created ancient arguments. And they advanced entirely new ones. That’s not unusual, Hershovitz says. Every kid is a philosopher. Following an agenda set by Rex and Hank, Hershovitz takes us on a fun romp through classic and contemporary philosophy, powered by questions like, Does Hank have the right to drink soda? When is it okay to swear? and, Does the number six exist? Hershovitz and his boys take on more weighty issues too. They explore punishment, authority, sex, gender, race, the nature of truth and knowledge, and the existence of God. Along the way, they get help from professional philosophers, famous and obscure. And they show that all of us have a lot to learn from listening to kids—and thinking with them. Hershovitz calls on us to support kids in their philosophical adventures. But more than that, he challenges us to join them so that we can become better, more discerning thinkers and recapture some of the wonder kids have at the world.
Download or read book Safety and Reliability Theory and Applications written by Marko Cepin and published by CRC Press. This book was released on 2017-06-14 with total page 6847 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Safety and Reliability – Theory and Applications contains the contributions presented at the 27th European Safety and Reliability Conference (ESREL 2017, Portorož, Slovenia, June 18-22, 2017). The book covers a wide range of topics, including: • Accident and Incident modelling • Economic Analysis in Risk Management • Foundational Issues in Risk Assessment and Management • Human Factors and Human Reliability • Maintenance Modeling and Applications • Mathematical Methods in Reliability and Safety • Prognostics and System Health Management • Resilience Engineering • Risk Assessment • Risk Management • Simulation for Safety and Reliability Analysis • Structural Reliability • System Reliability, and • Uncertainty Analysis. Selected special sessions include contributions on: the Marie Skłodowska-Curie innovative training network in structural safety; risk approaches in insurance and fi nance sectors; dynamic reliability and probabilistic safety assessment; Bayesian and statistical methods, reliability data and testing; oganizational factors and safety culture; software reliability and safety; probabilistic methods applied to power systems; socio-technical-economic systems; advanced safety assessment methodologies: extended Probabilistic Safety Assessment; reliability; availability; maintainability and safety in railways: theory & practice; big data risk analysis and management, and model-based reliability and safety engineering. Safety and Reliability – Theory and Applications will be of interest to professionals and academics working in a wide range of industrial and governmental sectors including: Aeronautics and Aerospace, Automotive Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Energy Production and Distribution, Environmental Engineering, Information Technology and Telecommunications, Critical Infrastructures, Insurance and Finance, Manufacturing, Marine Industry, Mechanical Engineering, Natural Hazards, Nuclear Engineering, Offshore Oil and Gas, Security and Protection, Transportation, and Policy Making.
