Theme: Science

  • AUTISM MEANS 40% MORE BRAIN ACTIVITY AT REST. My mother, my grandmother, teacher

    http://scienceblog.com/70048/study-shows-autistic-brains-create-more-information-at-rest/YES. AUTISM MEANS 40% MORE BRAIN ACTIVITY AT REST.

    My mother, my grandmother, teachers, everyone would say “just relax and rest your mind”.

    I would say “um… I can’t shut it off. Ever.” It was so exasperating. I thought adults were incredibly stupid, with insipid advice.

    The only way to keep the machine happy is to work it to death. It’d drive me to exhaustion (and has) if I didn’t feed it something to work on.

    The internal world is like an enormous magnet that ONLY SOCIAL CONTACT is a counter.

    I love people. They’re anchors to reality.

    I wonder what it’s like for totally autistic people – they can never get out… ever. I have a lot of trouble getting in and out (Something my mother, Allora and Amanda were masters of.)

    But you can view fate as gift or curse. I can manage it most of the time, so I consider it a gift.


    Source date (UTC): 2014-01-31 17:16:00 UTC

  • ENVIRONMENT DOESN”T MATTER MUCH AT ALL –“The bad habit of assuming that anythin

    ENVIRONMENT DOESN”T MATTER MUCH AT ALL

    –“The bad habit of assuming that anything not classically genetic must be ‘environmental’ has blinkered behavioral geneticists (and those who interpret their findings) into the fool’s errand of looking for environmental effects for what may be randomness in developmental processes.”–

    NURTURE ONLY MATTER IN SO FAR AS YOU DON”T HARM YOUR KIDS. THATS THE EXTENT OF IT.


    Source date (UTC): 2014-01-31 10:27:00 UTC

  • (I can get my facts wrong like anyone else. And I can get my theory wrong – alth

    (I can get my facts wrong like anyone else. And I can get my theory wrong – although I’m better at that than I used to be, because I tend to test a theory pretty excruciatingly. But you know, my logic is pretty damned good. All the way ’round. I know that. Simply from experience I know that. Logic is an incredibly useful tool. The only way to test theories and facts for internal consistency is through logic, and the only way to test external correspondence is by constantly subjecting your theories to tests against all data new that you can find. You’re never really ‘done’ testing your theory until no further increase in use can be obtained from it. When you run out of things that you can test and it holds up for the purposes you need it then you’re pretty well set. As such people jump to conclusions far too early. The only way you know something is when you run out of ways to test it. And you must test both internal consistency and external correspondence for both explanatory power and falsifications power.)


    Source date (UTC): 2014-01-27 05:29:00 UTC

  • SIMPLE GENERAL RULES : PHYSICAL SCIENCE VERSUS COOPERATIVE SCIENCE The physical

    SIMPLE GENERAL RULES : PHYSICAL SCIENCE VERSUS COOPERATIVE SCIENCE

    The physical universe consists of very simple general rules that produce very complex results.

    The moral universe, likewise consists of very simple rules that produce very complex results.

    By speaking in the language of construction – in operational language – we can teach people those very general rules.

    Just as we have simplified the physical world through the use of the operational language of the physical sciences, we can simplify the political world through the use of the operational language of cooperation.

    The language of American Conservatism is lost in layers of allegorical loading and framing. They know how to USE terms but they do not understand the construction of those terms.

    If we give conservatives knowledge of ethical and moral construction, they will then be able to argue their aristocratic egalitarian ethics in rational language.

    Ethics it turns out, is a very simple subject. With very simple general rules.


    Source date (UTC): 2014-01-26 16:34:00 UTC

  • WELL, I DID IT. I CREATED “SCIENTIFIC AND ETHICAL REALISM” Didn’t mean to. Just

    WELL, I DID IT. I CREATED “SCIENTIFIC AND ETHICAL REALISM”

    Didn’t mean to. Just was a byproduct of trying to solve the problem of ethical rules for a post-democratic society.

    Universal ethics.


    Source date (UTC): 2014-01-26 16:17:00 UTC

  • “Mathematics, as a discipline created by human beings, has some ‘meaning’ with i

    “Mathematics, as a discipline created by human beings, has some ‘meaning’ with it which cannot be reduced to mere sequence of logical symbols. We can understand mathematics not by transforming mathematical proofs into logical symbols and checking that there is no mistake applying logical rules, but by understanding the ‘meaning’ indicated by the theorems. Thus, the mental world of mathematics can also be explained by the function of metaphors, our brain’s inferring mechanism. This is the idea shared by G. Lakoff and R.E. Nunez”


    Source date (UTC): 2014-01-23 17:20:00 UTC

  • Truth: No Man Is An Island. No Logical Argument Is Either.

    My definition of Truth under Scientific Realism, is that any notion of Truth can only exist if we say it is a) Performative, consisting of b) Correspondence and c) Coherence (internal consistency). And that all other statements are analogies to some subset of these properties. And that d) formal theories of truth (the ‘logics’) are each subsets of Coherence, which test certain properties of any “True” and therefore Performative, Correspondent and Coherent statement. And that e) property and involuntary transfer constitute a missing logic of cooperation, that renders all transfers open to analysis and criticism. And that f) praxeology constitutes a missing logic of the rationality of decisions and incentives, that renders all actions open to subjective testing. But because humans are marginally indifferent in their rationality and incentives, such subjective, SYMPATHETIC testing functions as an objective test of the rationality of incentives. And that: g) Constructive (meaning socially constructive, including Consensus theories) and Pragmatic theories of truth are failed attempts at obscurant coercion (theft) by adherents to enlightenment democratic equalitarianism, socialists, postmodernists, and totalitarian humanists. Just as the Rawlsian veil is yet another attempt at obscuring involuntary transfers, while relying on the impossibility of human judgement to make such decisions as would be required to achieve the abstract concept of ‘justice’. As such I view truth as Performative (attestation) constrained by and consisting of { i) Correspondent (with reality); ii) Cohesive (internally consistent and formal); iii) Identitarian (categories, properties and names) iv) Propertarian (cooperative moral action); v) Praxeological (rational action) } properties – each subset set of properties requiring separate logics for the isolation and analysis of each subset. Conversely, no ‘complete attest-able truth’ can be constructed in any subset without consideration of all. It may be (as in the case of any of the formal logics) that no external dependency is present (although I cannot think of one). But I am unaware of any formal logic without external dependency. This is a non contradictory, fully explanatory theory of the criteria for truth. And so far I am unable to formalize a criticism of CR, because for all intents and purposes that I can imagine, the CR definition of truth is platonic and non existent, and impossible. Since the only truth that can exist is attestation: the constant reduction in our own errors as we try to describe the properties of the universe. We can know what is false. That is our only certainty. But we can never know a platonic truth other than a tautology, because only tautological statements are complete. A complete statement is not open to attestation. If any statement is not tautological, and therefore incomplete, it is open to attestation. But how can we say an attestation is meaningful if it’s tautological? We are, with the concept of truth, improving our attestations about the universe. This is what we improve. That is the purpose and function of truth. Since only by improving our attestations and constantly testing them can we improve our actions, and by our actions, continue to increasingly outwit the deterministic processes in the universe by constructing minor alterations to that universe such that we can make use of the universe as we will. If I am to defend the claim that obscurantism must be prohibited from political speech (argument), then I cannot make this claim on irrefutable terms, without at least addressing the relationship between the logical disciplines, and the very nature of philosophy, as a moral endeavor. No man is an island. No argument in any sub discipline is either.

  • Truth: No Man Is An Island. No Logical Argument Is Either.

    My definition of Truth under Scientific Realism, is that any notion of Truth can only exist if we say it is a) Performative, consisting of b) Correspondence and c) Coherence (internal consistency). And that all other statements are analogies to some subset of these properties. And that d) formal theories of truth (the ‘logics’) are each subsets of Coherence, which test certain properties of any “True” and therefore Performative, Correspondent and Coherent statement. And that e) property and involuntary transfer constitute a missing logic of cooperation, that renders all transfers open to analysis and criticism. And that f) praxeology constitutes a missing logic of the rationality of decisions and incentives, that renders all actions open to subjective testing. But because humans are marginally indifferent in their rationality and incentives, such subjective, SYMPATHETIC testing functions as an objective test of the rationality of incentives. And that: g) Constructive (meaning socially constructive, including Consensus theories) and Pragmatic theories of truth are failed attempts at obscurant coercion (theft) by adherents to enlightenment democratic equalitarianism, socialists, postmodernists, and totalitarian humanists. Just as the Rawlsian veil is yet another attempt at obscuring involuntary transfers, while relying on the impossibility of human judgement to make such decisions as would be required to achieve the abstract concept of ‘justice’. As such I view truth as Performative (attestation) constrained by and consisting of { i) Correspondent (with reality); ii) Cohesive (internally consistent and formal); iii) Identitarian (categories, properties and names) iv) Propertarian (cooperative moral action); v) Praxeological (rational action) } properties – each subset set of properties requiring separate logics for the isolation and analysis of each subset. Conversely, no ‘complete attest-able truth’ can be constructed in any subset without consideration of all. It may be (as in the case of any of the formal logics) that no external dependency is present (although I cannot think of one). But I am unaware of any formal logic without external dependency. This is a non contradictory, fully explanatory theory of the criteria for truth. And so far I am unable to formalize a criticism of CR, because for all intents and purposes that I can imagine, the CR definition of truth is platonic and non existent, and impossible. Since the only truth that can exist is attestation: the constant reduction in our own errors as we try to describe the properties of the universe. We can know what is false. That is our only certainty. But we can never know a platonic truth other than a tautology, because only tautological statements are complete. A complete statement is not open to attestation. If any statement is not tautological, and therefore incomplete, it is open to attestation. But how can we say an attestation is meaningful if it’s tautological? We are, with the concept of truth, improving our attestations about the universe. This is what we improve. That is the purpose and function of truth. Since only by improving our attestations and constantly testing them can we improve our actions, and by our actions, continue to increasingly outwit the deterministic processes in the universe by constructing minor alterations to that universe such that we can make use of the universe as we will. If I am to defend the claim that obscurantism must be prohibited from political speech (argument), then I cannot make this claim on irrefutable terms, without at least addressing the relationship between the logical disciplines, and the very nature of philosophy, as a moral endeavor. No man is an island. No argument in any sub discipline is either.

  • THE WEAKNESS OF POPPERIAN TRUTH : PRESERVING PLATONISM My understanding of CR’s

    THE WEAKNESS OF POPPERIAN TRUTH : PRESERVING PLATONISM

    My understanding of CR’s concept of Truth is Popperian via Tarsky: which in crudest form suggests that Statements are true if they are internally consistent. And furthermore, the truth content of any proposition (verisimilitude) consists of the explanatory power minus the falsificationary power. (I tend to follow Kripke on internal consistency for technical reasons.)

    This position narrows the value of explanatory power, improving truth claims, but is still a much looser definition of truth, and one that accommodates the platonic (Metaphysical realism). This is evident by the failure to unite the various definitions of truth into some coherent system.

    Whereas, in an effort correct Metaphysical Realism and to expunge platonism and obscurantism – and therefore obtain Scientific and Ethical Naturalism – I’ve tried to argue that the narrower criteria (the above comment) is the test of BOTH realism AND ethical action.

    I’ve stated before that I thought popper denied socialists the field, by making it impossible to argue that political preferences (scientific socialism) was in fact scientific enough that central planners could make claims necessitating that we be compelled to comply with their ideas. However, his definition of truth was insufficient to deny obscurantism and platonism. This is not a criticism it’s just a statement of insufficiency for prevention of abuse by way of popular government.

    This is a lot to grasp. But I thought I’d throw it out there.

    I didn’t think I would be able to get to it but it’s troubled me enough that I’m getting close.

    Thanks.


    Source date (UTC): 2014-01-22 09:15:00 UTC

  • TRUTH: NO MAN IS AN ISLAND. AND NO LOGICAL ARGUMENT IS EITHER. (reposted from el

    TRUTH: NO MAN IS AN ISLAND. AND NO LOGICAL ARGUMENT IS EITHER.

    (reposted from elsewhere)

    My definition of Truth under Scientific Realism, is that any notion of Truth whatsoever can only exist if we say it is a) Performative, consisting of b) Correspondence (external correspondence) and c) Coherence (internal consistency). And that all other truth claims are analogies to some subset of these properties.

    Further:

    That d) formal theories of truth (the ‘logics’) are each subsets of Coherence, which test certain properties of any “True” and therefore Performative, Correspondent and Coherent statement.

    And that e) property and involuntary transfer constitute a missing logic of cooperation, that renders all transfers open to analysis and criticism.

    And that f) praxeology constitutes a missing logic of the rationality of decisions and incentives, that renders all actions open to subjective testing. But because humans are marginally indifferent in their rationality and incentives, such subjective, SYMPATHETIC testing functions as an objective test of the rationality of incentives.

    And that: g) Constructive (meaning socially constructive, including Consensus theories) and Pragmatic theories of truth are failed attempts at obscurant coercion (theft) by adherents to enlightenment democratic equalitarianism, socialists, postmodernists, and totalitarian humanists. Just as the Rawlsian veil is yet another attempt at obscuring involuntary transfers, while relying on the impossibility of human judgement to make such decisions as would be required to achieve the abstract concept of ‘justice’.

    As such I view truth as Performative (attestation) constrained by and consisting of {

    i) Correspondent (with reality);

    ii) Cohesive (internally consistent and formal);

    iii) Identitarian (categories, properties and names)

    iv) Propertarian (cooperative moral action);

    v) Praxeological (rational action)

    } properties – each subset set of properties requiring separate logics for the isolation and analysis of each subset.

    Conversely, no ‘complete attest-able truth’ can be constructed in any subset without consideration of all. It may be (as in the case of any of the formal logics) that no external dependency is present (although I cannot think of one). But I am unaware of any formal logic without external dependency.

    This is a non contradictory, fully explanatory theory of the criteria for truth. And so far I am unable to formalize a criticism of CR, because for all intents and purposes that I can imagine, the CR definition of truth is platonic and non existent, and impossible. Since the only truth that can exist is attestation: the constant reduction in our own errors as we try to describe the properties of the universe.

    We can know what is false. That is our only certainty. But we can never know a platonic truth other than a tautology, because only tautological statements are complete. A complete statement is not open to attestation. If any statement is not tautological, and therefore incomplete, it is open to attestation. But how can we say an attestation is meaningful if it’s tautological?

    We are, with the concept of truth, improving our attestations about the universe. This is what we improve. That is the purpose and function of truth. Since only by improving our attestations and constantly testing them can we improve our actions, and by our actions, continue to increasingly outwit the deterministic processes in the universe by constructing minor alterations to that universe such that we can make use of the universe as we will.

    If I am to defend the claim that obscurantism must be prohibited from political speech (argument), then I cannot make this claim on irrefutable terms, without at least addressing the relationship between the logical disciplines, and the very nature of philosophy, as a moral endeavor.

    No man is an island.

    No argument in any sub discipline is either.


    Source date (UTC): 2014-01-22 07:11:00 UTC