week 2

Tatianna Alonso

Philosophy

Professor D Lane

January 18, 2015

Week Two

Why is understanding physics and the general rules of the universe so important in doing

philosophy?

When trying to understand the rules of how philosophy works, both physics and

understanding our universe have a huge role to play in it. Physics is about finding different

aspects and how they link up together to the universe. All this comes in sync through various

facts joined throughout the universe through what it all means. Understanding the general rules

of the universe can also be a good platform to philosophy because philosophy revolves around

questions, so having a basic knowledge is good. Now understanding philosophy is a bit different

in terms that it is connected with the way people put all the information together in their mind. It

doesn't mean they accept it but they do have it in their mind, with philosophy you learn that

thinking critically is super important. Reality, values, existence, knowledge, reason and language

can all affect the way someone processes the information. Comprehending both physics and

understanding how our system works are extremely important values. Therefore having both

these information at someone’s disposal, someone can effectively get through what kind of

philosophy they are better trying to explain. Physics and how the universe works, help to create a

bigger perspective and base as to what they are trying to get across in philosophy.


What is eliminative materialism?

Eliminative materialism is a materialist position in the philosophy of mind or in other

words the breakdown on consciousness. It is an opinion that people have based on various

factors according to facts, findings, and studies. One example can be how someone is

unsuccessful of figuring out a question by using science, philosophy, or reasoning, people refer

to the answer being that “god did it”. Part one of the film eliminative materialism, quotes such
action as if neither side can come to an answer, the only logical solution then would be no explanation at all for it was “god's” actions. As we learn more we see we can eliminate these illogical reasoning's. The second part talks about how people eliminated spirits and gods to become to more precise with explanations. Lastly part three talked about misbelief. An example would be how people would get scared due to thoughts of getting sick because of their angry gods but in reality it was due to bacteria spreading, causing illness. This helps people explain why certain events occur in our mind, society and mind. We must continue to explore so we receive more results within eliminative materialism.