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Is there any philosophical idea that radically changed the world in the twentieth century?
Is there any new, i.e., conceived in the last century, philosophical idea that radically changed the world in the twentieth century? I know it's kinda hard to come up with a precise and definitive answer because honestly we have virtually no…
ludwijk
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Is there a general theory of intelligence and design that would allow us to detect the presence of design in an object based solely on its properties?
There are many candidates for what could be considered to be an intelligent agent. Examples include humans, animals, aliens, AI (e.g. ChatGPT?), and supernaturalists would probably add angels, deities, God or gods, and similar candidates to the list…
Mark
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If we encounter what appears to be an advanced extraterrestrial technological device, would the claim that it was designed be falsifiable?
Suppose we go to Mars and come across what appears to be a highly advanced technological device of extraterrestrial origin. Let's call this object X. Would the claim "X was designed" be falsifiable? That is, if we assume that the hypothesis "X was…
Mark
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Does the computational theory of mind explain anything?
In science, when you theorize that X reduces to Y, you propose a theory that links X and Y in some causal way. Physicists don't just say, "What you experiences as a gas is really a swarm of fast-moving molecules"; instead, they use statistical…
David Gudeman
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How has neuroscience characterized classic Benthamite utilitiarian reasoning in situations like the trolley problem?
With regards to the famous trolley problem, I know that neuroscientists have largely found people believe it is morally wrong to flip the switch to kill one man in order to save five strangers.
I also know that they've found that the disgust centers…
Uticensis
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How does "if p, then q" compare to "p only if q"?
How do the statements if p then q and p only if q compare
Marsha
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Is Andalusi/Rasmussen's proof for the existence of God correct?
Summary of his argument:
Every limited thing's existence has a cause.
The universe is limited.
Therefore, the universe's existence must have a cause.
Now, naturally, the question arises: what caused the universe? Andalusi responds: God created the…
tryingtobeastoic
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Dawkins on God: What are the strongest counters to his argument?
But the candidate solutions to the riddle of improbability are not, as is falsely implied, design and chance. They are design and natural selection. Chance is not a solution, given the high levels of improbability we see in living organisms...…
user62907
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Ethics: What is the principle which advocates for individual behaviour based upon the consequences of group adoption of that same behaviour?
The 2022 FIFA World Cup is almost upon us. The bid for this year's tournament was awarded to Qatar, a country with a poor human rights record, a record further blemished by reports of deaths and injury to many migrant workers who have been exploited…
Futilitarian
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Is it possible to be completely objective?
Ideally, in all analysis, one would like to be completely objective. Is this possible? What are the indicators that my view is not objective? What philosophies or philosophers best address this concern?
Edit: I have removed any mention of bias in…
user59124
12
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Nietzsche doesn't believe in free will nor in "non-free will". How come?
In Beyond Good and Evil, section 21, Nietzsche writes (this is not the whole section)
The desire for “freedom of will” in the superlative, metaphysical sense, such as still holds sway, unfortunately, in the minds of the half-educated, the desire to…
Choripán Con Pebre
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Are humans and other animals machines?
It has been said that biological organisms are one kind of machine, albeit highly complex ones. But is this really true? To answer this question, one needs a precise definition of "machine". So, is there a definition of machines in some paper or…
user107952
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Is faith just a consolation for the common folk?
In reading Dostoevsky, I stumbled upon the perplexing question of faith being a mere consolation. And in spite of considering myself a believer, I still agree to this statement to a certain extent. Maybe faith is meant to be a consolation. What are…
dreamerinavoid
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In simple terms, what is the difference between logic in mathematics and philosophy?
I want to understand the difference between mathematical and philosophical logic. I actually thought they were the same till I read this post. Concisely speaking, what is the difference between how a philosopher conceives as logic vs how a…
tryst with freedom
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Is the notion of "Complex System" a philosophy of science? Is it the opposite of Reductionism? Is it related to Holism?
I have tried to come to terms with the notion of "complex systems" of which I heard in one of the lessons at school though without too much depth. I grasp that a complex system is such that the behavior of the elements in the system do not yield…
Luna
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