Double Slit Craziness

Here is a great video that helps explain the double slit experiment and how strange physics really is...

What we missed

So real quick I wanted to cover some of the discussion on Justice we weren't able to discuss.

Before Gloucon brings up his 2 arguments against Justice, a few other definitions of Justice were discussed and defeated by Socrates.

The first definition offered was by Carephulus.  An elderly kind of silly gentleman.

1. Justice: To speak the truth and repay debts.
2. To give what is “filling” ie. To help friends and harm enemies
3. Justice is nothing else than the interest of the stronger.

This is usually what we think of when we first try to define justice, Justice is truthfulness.  Dealing justly with people means doing what you say you will.

Socrates refutes this definition by a counter example.

"Ought I, for example, to put back into the hands of my friend, who has gone mad, the sword which I borrowed of him when he was in his right mind? 'There must be exceptions.'"

Sometimes it is actually more just to break ones promise.  Therefor the first definition is not enough.

 To help friends, harm enemies?
Can we always know who are enemies are?  And is justice only useful in times of war?
Since both of these are insufficient, this definition will not do.


Interest of the Stronger?
Similar argument to 2)  When a ruler, strongest of all makes decisions, does he not sometimes make decisions that harm his interests?


These are all great examples of why definitions are SO important.  Even if  you are not in LD, it is still a good idea to define your terms, and choose definitions which help your case.  With topics involving justice or morals, there are so many variations that it is sometimes difficult to be talking about the same thing.

My advice:
Define each term in a Resolution.
Think of ways terms could be combined and alternative meanings.
Pic definitions that support your case, and prethink counters to other definitions.  Why should yours be preferred?

It's Cave Day!

Welcome sky view debaters.  Cat and I are super excited about this year, and are looking forward to meeting all the novice.

I started this blog to post some additional philosophy stuff I find that goes along with the philosophy after schools.   On the right is a running suggested reading list for anyone interested in books I recommend.

First up is a great Plato reference page.
http://people.bu.edu/wwildman/WeirdWildWeb/courses/wphil/lectures/wphil_theme02.htm

Here's a clip that talks a bit about The Matrix, Plato, and Post-Modernism

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWU9aodGC4E&feature=related

So in honor of Cave Day, here's a creepy claymation version:

Another RSA animation.

So this deals with why modern capitalism and our current views about Charity are immoral.  Check it out.

Existentialist Humor

http://www.theonion.com/articles/existentialist-firefighter-delays-3-deaths,17500/

Realism and Motivation

Here are two links to some amazing lectures that are animated for your enjoyment.  The first is a critique of potential harms of all the new age positive thinking self help methods.


The Second one deals with what motivates people and has some interesting implications to the modern workplace.


The concept behind these is simply amazing.  By writing down the sometimes complex terminology, it helps the brain process it better if you are not a audio learner.  The comics quickly bring to life the concepts, and I found myself understanding and retaining the information so much better simply because of the method.

If only I could draw this fast, I would definitely try to incorporate this into teaching.  Great stuff, check it out.