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Day 66

I remember quite well when the world's best chess player finally fell to a computer opponent. It was 1997, and although the tournament was close and quite controvercial, it was clear the computer had caught up to humanity. A few of the guys in the philosophy department believe that this, in a way, has ruined the game. They very much dislike the notion that no matter how good one ever gets, it can be beaten by a program running on a processor of ones and zeros. I too find this discouraging, but the game is still a great deal of fun. There is something artistic about the game. It very much is the case in countless different positions that there are two 'equally good' possible moves. It isn't even beyond computer intelligence to choose moves according to a particular style of play (whether it be aggressive, defensive, etc). Will this always be so? Will some computer 100 years from now completely deconstruct the game into every possible position and every possible best move...
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Variations on a theme

Since Aristotle, and probably more popularly in The Matrix , people have pondered the sameness and difference between the conscious and unconscious (dream) worlds. Philosophers have presented the notion of a dream so real, that knowing the difference between dream and reality becomes impossible. We all experience that on the odd occasion, but typically only retroactively. For example, you might for a moment remember an 'event,' but quickly realize that it was in fact a dreamed event, rather than a real one. I'd like to offer words on a slight different experience I've been having lately, in which my dreams reflect reality, but in a somewhat predictive capacity. This is not to say that I have dreams that predict future events, but rather they are of recent past experiences reconstructed in such a way that I understand more deeply the things that underlie people's emotions, motivations, etc. In other words, my dreams are telling me the way things 'r...
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(Birth)Day 11

Today was quite lovely. Class was all good, and I managed to get to a rousing colloquium by one of the philosophy professors. Watching all the other professors criticize and critique, then get criticized in return, was impressive. Birthday wishes were abundant, though I admit there were one or two people I had hoped would extend a word, but did not. Had dinner with the folks. Food was also abundant, as was dessert. But enough about me! Here are three words/phrases that people misuse to my shagrin on a startlingly regular basis: "Begs the question" "(very, somewhat, fairly, a bit, etc.) unique" "Literally" To beg the question means to make an argument in which you presuppose the conclusion within a premise. Ie. A question begging argument is a circular (typically bad) one. For instance: P: The Bible says God exists P: The Bible is of divine revelation ------------------------------------------- C: Therefore, God exists. The second premise only ...
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