What is gnoseological optimism?
Tomasz Kornacki
It's the first time I'm posting to sci.philosophy.tech, so I
profoundly hope that my question and the way I'm putting are just not
too silly. Please, kindly bear with me, then.
Please, what is called the philosophy of gnoseological optimism?
Thank you.
Regards,
Tom
P.S. Sadly, Google doesn't return much for this term.
Tim
"Tomasz Kornacki" <tko...@wp.pl> wrote in message
news:cc5b94fe.03090...@posting.google.com...
Tomasz Kornacki
> Anti-agnosticism perhaps.
In case you are not purely hypothesizing, would you be kind enough as
to tell me where you got this information?
Tom
Tim
defined as spiritual knowledge. Agnosticism as a doubting as to the
possibility of spiritual knowledge. Gnoseological optimism would then
suggest a belief structure that asserts or defends the possibility of
gnostic knowledge as opposed to agnosticism. I've never heard of the phrase
before so I could be way off of the mark.
"Tomasz Kornacki" <tko...@wp.pl> wrote in message
news:cc5b94fe.03090...@posting.google.com...
Tomasz Kornacki
Hello Tim,
> I was hypothesizing on the following basis.
> Gnosticism is often defined as spiritual knowledge.
Yes. Right.
> Agnosticism as a doubting as to the possibility of spiritual knowledge.
Right.
> Gnoseological optimism [...] asserts or [or?] defends
the possibility of gnostic knowledge
as opposed to [opposed to?]
agnosticism.
I don't think I understand. I am sorry. Thank you for you kind
comments, anyway.
Actually, I was thinking, gnoseological optimism might mean that
there's an infinite knowledge to be possessed (which is so
optimistic). Thus, we will NEVER actually know EVERYTHING (which is an
argument for gnosticism) but we may still obtain (positive and)
normative knowledge (which is an argument for agnosticism). For short,
"faith and reason can be reconciled", as Leibniz argues in his
Monadology. However, I do not know of what contemporal importance are
the ideas presented in the Monadology. Would you, perhaps, care to
tell me?
Thank you.
Tom
P.S. Please, is the monadological view of the universe a foundation of
modern natural sciences?
Mattias Wikstr?m
> For short,
> "faith and reason can be reconciled", as Leibniz argues in his
> Monadology. However, I do not know of what contemporal importance are
> the ideas presented in the Monadology. Would you, perhaps, care to
> tell me?
>
> Thank you.
> Tom
> P.S. Please, is the monadological view of the universe a foundation of
> modern natural sciences?
It is not. As far as I know, the ideas of Leibniz have not had a very
strong influence on future thinkers. The exception is his mathematical
ideas, but while Leibniz may have considered theese as related to his
monadology, they were later freed from that origin.
There is currently no consensus as to what the foundation of the
sciences is, or even if there is such a thing. Scientists hold widely
different views on philosophy, but when it comes to concrete matters
of fact, that does not matter much.
Mattias
Robert J. Kolker
Mattias Wikstr?m wrote:
> It is not. As far as I know, the ideas of Leibniz have not had a very
> strong influence on future thinkers.
They would, in the best of all possible worlds.
Bob Kolker
Robert J. Kolker
Tomasz Kornacki wrote:
> Please, what is called the philosophy of gnoseological optimism?
The happy light-hearted giggly notion that we are living in the best of
all possible worlds. Which, when you think of it, is kind of depressing.
Bob Kolker
Tomasz Kornacki
[snip]
> > Please, is the monadological view of the universe a foundation of
> > modern natural sciences?
>
> It is not.
Right. I see. But ... look at any text on physics, chemistry, or even
one concerned with the social sciences (like the science of law,
sociology, psychology etc.). Isn't what you get there, IN FACT, *a
monadological view* of the universe? Of course, I am referring
*particularly* to the natural sciences here.
> As far as I know, the ideas of Leibniz have not had a very
> strong influence on future thinkers. The exception is his mathematical
> ideas, but while Leibniz may have considered theese as related to his
> monadology, they were later freed from that origin.
My humble comments considered, I happily take your word for anything
else.
> There is currently no consensus as to what the foundation of the
> sciences is, or even if there is such a thing.
When referring to the foundation of science, are WE actually referring
to its methodology? Is that, to be clear, the same (I think it is)?
> Scientists hold widely different views on philosophy, but when it comes to
> concrete matters of fact, that does not matter much.
Well, yes.
Thank you for writing.
Tom
Tomasz Kornacki
[snip]
> The happy light-hearted giggly notion that we are living in the best of
> all possible worlds. Which, when you think of it, is kind of depressing.
Please, what is the origin of this definition? Unfortunately, Google
has nothing to say about it!
Tom
Ken Aldridge
You might want to read this.
The research takes place within the larger framework of the project
Visualization of High-Dimensional Data Spaces.
Visualization is linked to many different types of content. For
teachers it means presentation of lesson material through graphs,
animated pictures (film), acting out. For scholars it means the
application of computer graphics to visualize complex data relating to
numbers and physics (light, sound, motion, etc.) Computers provide an
enormous amount of data. But in order to make these interpretable, the
proper forms for presenting them must be developed. Physical,
psychological, and cognitive aspects play an important role.
The main premise for this research is that visual representations have
a special connection to interactive systems that enhance the
extraction of knowledge (gnoseological optimism) and provide for
better relation with all types of data (especially abstract data).
The development of appropriate interfaces is thus seen as an issue of
design not just of the behavioral and computer sciences. Visualization
is an issue of design in the following ways:
1. Adequacy: relation between what is represented and the
representation
2. Expression: relation between object, representation, and
interpreter
3. Precision: relation between quantity (the amount of data) and
quality (the result of a visual representation).
Inappropriate visualizations can result from a wrong cognitive
decision regarding the type of visual representation; inappropriate
aesthetics; constraints on interactivity, among others.
The Computational Design Program will develop computer-based methods,
tools, and algorithms.
Period of research:
From 1 January 1998 to 31 December 1999
Tomasz Kornacki
Thank you very much indeed for writing such an extensive text. Do you
think I now have enough skills to tackle these issues? *MAY* I,
please, ask you for a more direct reference?
Thank you very much indeed for writing.
Tom
Tomasz Kornacki
I am terribly sorry if I sounded like I intended to make a claim. This
has not been my intention *w*h*a*t*s*o*e*v*e*r*. I am/will be greatful
for any kind direction(s). I regard them purely as the rarest form of
all kindness a human person is capable of. *HOPEFULLY* there will be a
chance for me to reciprocate.
Thank you very very much. Thank you.
Tom
P.S. By 'direct reference' I meant that (as was proved earlier) if *I*
am directly addressed (by You ^only), I will believe I am capable of
performing the tasks addressed (and might perform them successfully).
Otherwise, I merely *WILL NOT* (believe & perform). I am terribly
sorry. This is all about low self-esteem and self-abnegation. I am not
past that.
And, I do know, it is not Your job to clarify other people's
misconception. So, thank you again for writing.
Ken Aldridge
I do not know your background well enough to answer that. You are the
person who must determine your comfort level. No matter what you say
or do in this area, or any other area, will be met with positive and
negative responses. In discussions of this nature, it is your ability
to link the existing knowledge to your perceived knowledge in such a
way as to allow for a smooth and continuous progression that will
determine your sucess.
Requested direct reference:
http://www.techfak.uni-bielefeld.de/ags/ni/projects/datamining/h2vis/HMDShtml.html#fig:escher
Tomasz Kornacki
[...]
> I do not know your background well enough to answer that.
Yes. Right.
> You are the person who must determine your comfort level.
Again. Right.
> No matter what you say or do in this area, or any other area, will be met
> with positive and negative responses.
That is precisely what a teacher does (if one is fortunate enough to
have a teacher), i.e. he clarifies. He yields a bit of himself to his
student (if he is fortunate enough, the student does appreciate it,
and not only in words.)
> In discussions of this nature, it is your ability to link the existing
> knowledge to your perceived knowledge in such a way as to allow for
> a smooth and continuous progression that will determine your sucess.
This is music to my ears. THANK YOU FOR ALL THESE LEARNED WARM KIND
WORDS.
> Requested direct reference:
Or rather ... modestly asked for it.
> http://www.techfak.uni-bielefeld.de/ags/ni/projects/datamining/h2vis/HMDShtml.html#fig:escher
Thank you very much for your time.
Tom