April 22, 2013
In philosophy of science and philosophy of mind, cognitive closure is the proposition that human minds are constitutionally incapable of solving certain perennial philosophical problems.
Neurobiologist Owen Flanagan calls this position ‘anti-constructive naturalism’ or the ‘new mysterianism’ and the primary advocate of the hypothesis, Colin McGinn, calls it ‘transcendental naturalism’ because it acknowledges the possibility that solutions might fall within the grasp of an intelligent non-human of some kind. According to McGinn, such philosophical questions include the mind-body problem, identity of the self, foundations of meaning, free will, and knowledge, both a priori and empirical.
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April 22, 2013
New mysterianism is a philosophical position proposing that the hard problem of consciousness (explaining how and why we have qualia or phenomenal experiences — how sensations acquire characteristics, such as colors and tastes) cannot be resolved by humans. Neurobiologist Owen Flanagan noted in his 1991 book ‘Science of the Mind’ that some modern thinkers have suggested that consciousness may never be completely explained. Flanagan called them ‘the new mysterians’ after the rock group Question Mark and the Mysterians.
But the new mysterianism is a postmodern position designed to drive a railroad spike through the heart of scientism. The term has been extended by some writers to encompass the wider philosophical position that humans do not have the intellectual ability to solve (or comprehend the answers to) many hard problems, not just the problem of consciousness, at a scientific level. This position is also known as anti-constructive naturalism.
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April 22, 2013
Hypokeimenon [hahy-puh-kay-muh-non], later called ‘material substratum,’ is a term in metaphysics which literally means the ‘underlying thing’ (‘subiectum’ in Latin). To search for the hypokeimenon is to search for that substance which persists in a thing going through change— its basic essence.
According to Aristotle’s definition (in ‘Categories’), hypokeimenon is something which can be predicated by other things, but cannot be a predicate of others. The existence of a material substratum was posited by English philosopher John Locke, with conceptual similarities to Jewish-Dutch rationalist Baruch Spinoza’s ‘substance,’ and German philosopher Immanuel Kant’s concept of the ‘noumenon’ (a purely mental entity).
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April 22, 2013
Simplicity is the state or quality of being simple; it usually relates to the burden which a thing puts on someone trying to explain or understand it.
However, Herbert A. Simon (American political scientist, economist, sociologist, and psychologist) suggested, something is simple or complex depending on the way we choose to describe it. In some uses, simplicity can be used to imply beauty, purity, or clarity.
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April 22, 2013
Elegance is the attribute of being unusually effective and simple. It is frequently used as a standard of tastefulness, particularly in the areas of fashion and decoration. Some associate elegance with simplicity of design. Others understand the word in an opulent light as in tasteful richness of design or ornamentation. Visual stimuli are frequently considered elegant if a small number of colors and stimuli are used, emphasizing the remainder. The color white is often associated with elegance, usually along with blue or black.
Elegance is a synonym for beauty that has come to acquire the additional connotations of unusual effectiveness and simplicity. It is frequently used as a standard of tastefulness particularly in the areas of visual design, decoration, the sciences, and the esthetics of mathematics. Elegant things exhibit refined grace and dignified propriety.
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April 22, 2013
A chain is a series of connected links which are typically made of metal. A chain may consist of two or more links.
According to the ‘Complete Guide to Chain,’ the metal link chain was invented in 225 BCE. The prevalent modern symbolism is oppression, due to the use for a mechanical restriction of the liberty of a human or animal. However, chains can also symbolize interconnectivity or interdependence.
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April 22, 2013
Rust is a type of corrosion (the breakdown of materials due to reactions with their surroundings). Normally, when a material corrodes it becomes weaker, however some forms of high temperature corrosion can lead to the formation of protective compacted oxide layer glazes. Iron corrosion is called rusting.
When exposed to air or water for a long time, iron slowly decomposes into other chemicals, because of a reaction with oxygen molecules (air and water contain oxygen). Many other metals undergo equivalent corrosion, but the resulting oxides are not commonly called rust.
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