Computer Science Notes

Notes From CS Undergrad Courses FSU

This project is maintained by awa03

Review Lecture


Exam Index


Spinoza

Spinoza Ethics


Descartes


Bacon

What is the relationship between knowledge and power according to Bacon?

Answerknowledge is power, allows us to gain control over nature and through things such as tools we can further this. emphasizes the practical utility of knowledge.

What is Bacon's view of the use of the syllogism in science?

AnswerConsidered it to be inadequate for providing scientific evidence. No match for the subtlety of nature. Disconnected from reality.

What does he say about axioms?

AnswerBit self evident or necessarily true, should be derived from careful observation rather than from generalized limited experience. Believed forming proper notions and axioms through true induction was the remedy to expel false ideas

What is the difference between common induction and true induction

AnswerCommon induction is what most humans go through in their daily life. The example given in class being the cookie jar. Even though your mom slaps your hand that does not necessarily mean it will always happen (every house, parent, time, etc). True induction is much more rigorous, and involves testing more possibilities ensuring the truth is not generalized.

What is Bacon's view of nature?

AnswerNature is a source of knowledge, and we can gain knowledge of its secrets through careful observation. This is the key for advancing human civilization. Nature can be manipulated and controlled through human intervention. It is something like a garden that should be cultivated and improved through human effort, to restore the garden of eaden. Nature is in constant motion, and is the product of god.

What are the idols? Why are they important? (Describe all four by their titles and explain them)

AnswerIdols of the tribe describes human nature, and the limitations of human perception and cognition. Meaning our senses do not perfectly mirror the world around us. The Idols of the cave are unique to the individual, arsing from personal experience. The cave representing the prejudices that come from the subjects background and experiences. The Idols of the marketplace are formed from the misuse and misunderstanding of human language within interaction. Words often betray their own purpose, highlighting the imperfections within language. The idols of the theater are false beliefs arising from our philosophical systems or traditional knowledge. These are preexisting theories or dogmas which make it harder to objectively view the world since we have our preexisting notion distorting our perception.

Galileo

AnswerPrimary qualities are properties of the body that exist independently from any observer. Characteristics such as figure, shape, motion. and spatio-temporal location are primary qualities. Secondary qualities are properties that produce sensations within observers.These are qualities such as taste, color, and sound. These would not exist with out bodies to perceive them

What is the significance of holding this view for science?

AnswerThis would lead to an emphasis on quantitative properties by focusing on aspects such as size and shape. This would also lead to more objectivity within sciences since perception is not left to muddy the water. This will also separate subjective experience from scientific observation

How does it differ from older views of the physical world like Aristotle?

AnswerGalileo focused mainly on quantifiable properties that are measurable and mathematical. Whilst Aristotle took a more quantifiable approach using examples such as hot, cold, wet, etc. Gallielo additionally had a much larger emphasis on mathematical thinking, as opposed to Aristotle. Aristotle was more reliant on syllogistic logic and deductive reasoning than mathematical reasoning.

How is it different than Bacons view?

AnswerGalileo was more focused on measurable mathmatical thinking through primary qualities, whereas Bacon did not describe this difference. Bacon additionally aimed to provide a more comprehensive answer of the processes that we should engage in contrasted to Galileos approach was more heavily focused on the scientific applications.

What argument does he give to try and justify distinction?

AnswerHe gives the argument that primary qualities are inseperable from the body, while secondary ones are not. Since we cannot concieve of a body without qualities such as size, shape, and spacial location they are to be considered primary qualities. We can also observe these through; persistence, universality, deducibility, explanatory power.

What type of argument does he use to try and justify the fact that primary qualities are really in external bodies but secondary qualities are not? What is his primary argument?

AnswerWe cannot concieve of a body without these primary quantities, such as size, position or shape. Primary quantities also persist even when the object is not being percieved. These also universally apply to bodies, where secondary qualities may not. They can also be deduced through human logic as well as understanding.