#epistemology

The command of our language is crucial to focusing our thoughts and communicating them with precision to others. ↗

— Felix Alba-Juez

#philosophy #science #communication

I do not think there is a demonstrative proof (like Euclid) of Christianity, nor of the existence of matter, nor of the good will and honesty of my best and oldest friends. I think all three are (except perhaps the second) far more probable than the alternatives. The case for Christianity in general is well given by Chesterton…As to why God doesn't make it demonstratively clear; are we sure that He is even interested in the kind of Theism which would be a compelled logical assent to a conclusive argument? Are we interested in it in personal matters? I demand from my friend trust in my good faith which is certain without demonstrative proof. It wouldn't be confidence at all if he waited for rigorous proof. Hang it all, the very fairy-tales embody the truth. Othello believed in Desdemona's innocence when it was proved: but that was too late. Lear believed in Cordelia's love when it was proved: but that was too late. 'His praise is lost who stays till all commend.' The magnanimity, the generosity which will trust on a reasonable probability, is required of us. But supposing one believed and was wrong after all? Why, then you would have paid the universe a compliment it doesn't deserve. Your error would even so be more interesting and important than the reality. And yet how could that be? How could an idiotic universe have produced creatures whose mere dreams are so much stronger, better, subtler than itself? ↗

— C.S. Lewis

#christianity #epistemology #god #proof #trust

Is numerical equality (forced by the use of specific physical units) the same as conceptual equality? Of course NOT! ↗

— Felix Alba-Juez

#philosophy #physics #relativity #science #equality

Where both reason and experience fall short, there occurs a vacuum that can be filled by faith. ↗

— Jostein Gaarder

#experience

Postulates are based on assumption and adhered to by faith. Nothing in the Universe can shake them. ↗

— Isaac Asimov

#faith

One of the advantages of science is that one's work, ultimately, is either replicated or it is not. ↗

— Kay Redfield Jamison

#science #science

We look not at the things which are what you would call seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporal. But the things that are not seen are eternal. ↗

— Madeleine L'Engle

#epistemology #philosophical #philosophical

Scientist alone is true poet. ↗

— Allen Ginsberg

#poetry #science #science

If Relativity Theory kills our deepest convictions, why not start by finding out why we believed in them for millennia? ↗

— Felix Alba-Juez

#philosophy #science #science

To believe in nothing is as ridiculous as to believe in everything. Reason and factual evidence may convert a belief into knowledge. ↗

— Felix Alba-Juez

#philosophy #science #science