Will we philosophize? No, do not rush to turn over the page. Here it will not be about something so boring that will make you yawn. Let's talk about the experiments that each of us has the opportunity to hold in our head.
What does this give us? Not only do we learn something new about the nature of ordinary things, so from another angle we will look at the reality surrounding us, we will understand what is right for us and what is contrary to the internal morality. So, let's start thinking experiments?
1. Missed shade of blue.
Theory: so, suppose that a person saw all the colors except one shade of blue. At the same time he saw other shades of this color. But, if in his mind he sorts them according to the color spectrum, he will understand that all the same there is not enough one shade. Can he fill this gap by simply using his own imagination?
This thought experiment once again confirms that, first of all, thanks to our own experience, we know this world. But, judging from the above, we can not find the missing shade in our minds. And if you think that the color of this man's sweater is a clue, in fact it is not.
2. A machine that gives experience.
Theory: there is a certain machine that allows you to get any experience. Do you want to become a famous jockey or writer? Or do you want to have many friends? No problem. This miracle device will make you believe that it is already happening in your life. However, in the meantime your body will be immersed in a special container of water, and electrodes will be connected to the head. Then can I be connected to such a car all my life? So, a person's life would be programmed for several decades ahead and you would be 100% sure that what you see is real reality.
What is happiness? Philosophers argue that this is more than just pleasure. Although on the other hand, it seems that it is enough to experience pleasure in order to feel happy. In this case we are dealing with hedonism. True, there is one "but". If a man for a happy life had only one pleasure, you would constantly connect yourself to this machine. But most of us still would not have dared to do it. We would hesitate for a long time. This is explained by the fact that we want something more from life: we all have unfinished projects, life goals. By connecting to such a life, we begin to exist in an illusory world that is not capable of fully satisfying our needs. As a result, the conclusion suggests that hedonism is deceptive.
3. The child on the wall.
Theory: imagine that the child is about to fall into the well. It's clear that at the sight of such a kid you would immediately feel anxiety and fear for him. The most interesting thing is that you experience this not because you want to receive the favor of his parents, praise from relatives or because your reputation will suffer if you do not save the crumbs. In fact, the feeling of compassion is inherent in every person.
This theory was once put forward by the Chinese philosopher Meng-chi, who professed Confucianism. He believed that in man there are 4 sprouts of morality: wisdom, humanity, decency, justice. Proceeding from this, compassion is the inborn quality of each of us.
4. Victor and Olga go to the museum.
Theory: Victor and Olga plan to visit the Museum of Modern Art. Victor has Alzheimer's disease. He often peeps into the notebook, which he carries with him all the time. This diary plays the role of biological memory. So, he informs Victor that this museum is located on Uspenskaya Street, 22a. Olga turns to her biological memory and it turns out that the information on the account of the address of the museum coincides with that indicated in Victor's notebook. So, it may seem that before she could remember exactly where this museum is located, Olga already knew its exact location. But what about Victor? Despite the fact that this address is not in the head, but in a notebook, can we say that this record is what is stored in its memory?
Can we say that thoughts are just what happens in our brain, consciousness or, perhaps, these are all those things that are happening in the world? So, in the case under consideration, Victor's notebook works just like Olga's brain. That's why, if she knows the location of the museum, we call it a kind of faith, a conviction, can we say the same about Victor (and this is despite the fact that the record is not stored in his brain, but in a notebook?) But, what if he loses his notebook? Then we can not say that he remembers the address of the museum. Although this can happen to Olga, for example, if she is drunk and her brain is not able to remember the address.
5. Invisible gardener.
Theory: two people returned to their long abandoned garden. Despite the fact that he did not look well-groomed, a lot of plants still bloomed in him. One of these people said: "Perhaps some gardener sometimes comes here." And the second to him in response: "I do not think so." To understand which of them is right, they examined the garden and asked neighbors. As a result, it turned out that all these years, no one courted the garden. These two decided to find out what was really happening to him. So, one said: "You see, there is no gardener here." But the second to him immediately in response: "No, this gardener is invisible. If we look more closely, we will be able to find evidence that he is visiting here. " How do you think, who is right in this dispute?
Whether you notice it or not, this situation is somewhat reminiscent of the one connected with the existence of God. Thus, some believe that, even if it is invisible, but He among us, and others, atheists, completely deny the fact of his existence, explaining this by the fact that He does not have a physical shell and It is impossible to contemplate Him. The question is, are we able in our reality to find evidence that He really exists? So, is the dispute between the two a fact-based discussion, or a vivid example of two different views of the world?
6. The nobleman.
Theory: a young noble idealist plans to give his land to the peasants. In addition, he realizes that his ideals can disappear. That's why he decided to document his intentions. This paper can be destroyed only by his spouse. Even if a nobleman asks her to make adjustments, she is forbidden to do so. Now he does not cease to repeat: "If my ideals, principles disappear, it will not become me." But what if one day, while in old age, he begs her to make changes to this document? What should she do?
The philosophical puzzle is about the individuality of each of us. This elderly nobleman is the same person who was in his youth? Will his wife break this promise once?
7. Soaring in the air.
Theory: this philosophical experiment can be found in the writings of Avicenna. So, imagine a man who appeared on this earth as an adult and at the same time from the air. Besides, he does not have any childhood, teenage memories. He flies in the air. His eyes are closed. He does not hear anything. He soars with open limbs, as a result of which he is unable to feel his own body. So, the question is: can this man realize himself, his personality, his body?
The question of Avicenna is addressed to, is it true that we and our body are one? He believed that this was not quite so. For example, a hovering man does not have body experience and no memories of it. Therefore, he is aware only of his own soul.
8. Sleeping Beauty.
Theory: the girl decided to take part in an experiment in which scientists put her into a dream state. With each awakening, she is given a sleeping pill, which erases her memories of her waking up. Every time scientists throw a coin. If the tail falls out, she will be woken up on Monday and Tuesday. If it's an eagle - only on Monday. So, if the sleeping beauty wakes up on Monday, not knowing what day of the week it is, should she at all believe that the coin was planted?
You can assume that the probability that the eagle will fall out is ½, but the same can be said about the grate.
Professor of Philosophy at Princeton University Adam Elga states the following: "A sleeping beauty does not know whether it's Monday or Tuesday, that is, she can wake up one of two days of the week. Therefore, her trust in what she is told is 1/3. Why? And here: P (tails and monday) = P (tails and Tuesdays) = P (eagle and Monday). Thus, the probability of each is equal to 1/3.