Tag Archives: Philosophy

An Heretical Question

Posted on October 3, 2014 by thevenerablecorvex

For the last several weeks I’ve been thinking about a question which I’m almost afraid to ask, because if taken too literally, it could sound like I’m advocating restrictions on freedom of inquiry. Nevertheless, I think it’s an interesting question, … Continue reading →

Posted in Science | Tagged , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Ancestor Simulations

Posted on May 22, 2014 by thevenerablecorvex

It might interest you to learn that the question of whether or not the Universe is a computer program is a real and legitimate field of scholarly interest in theoretical physics. Personally I love the idea of such “ancestor simulations.” … Continue reading →

Posted in Physics | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Why Are There No “Sociopolitical Popularizers?”

Posted on April 14, 2014 by thevenerablecorvex

I recently had an intense discussion with a friend of mine in the social sciences, who was incensed that scientists were so ignorant of, and reflexively hostile towards sociopolitical critiques of science. I think this person had a fair point … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Science | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Picking Things Apart

Posted on December 7, 2013 by thevenerablecorvex

I like picking things apart. As far as I am concerned, dissecting illogical or unsupported arguments to figure-out why or when they don’t work, is one of life’s true pleasures. Which is why I’ve been in a bit of a … Continue reading →

Posted in Academics, Politics, Science, Skepticism | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Next Exciting Phase of My Career

Posted on November 16, 2013 by thevenerablecorvex

Frustrated by my near-complete lack of success with job-hunting, I have turned my attention to the longer term. Specifically: grad school. I’m going back. Probably for September of 2014–hopefully no later–but I’ve decided that that’s what I want to do. … Continue reading →

Posted in Academics, Physics, Science | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Time Reborn: A Review

Posted on September 6, 2013 by thevenerablecorvex

It’s not every book which changes my understanding of how the Universe works, but Lee Smolin’s recent work, Time Reborn, does the trick nicely. I bought it for myself a few months ago, expecting that it would be a rather typical example … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The Consolation of Thermodynamics.

Posted on June 21, 2013 by thevenerablecorvex

Historians of science have long made note of the surprisingly high rate of suicide attempts amongst the founders of  thermodynamics. On the face of it, it makes a great deal of sense; thermodynamics is a particularly grim branch of physics … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal Stuff, Physics, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Rhetorical Nonsense

Posted on September 5, 2012 by thevenerablecorvex

I’d like to take a moment to discuss the concept of Intentionality: who is capable of having it, and who is not. To my mind, it seems that individual people have Intentionality by definition. They are capable, knowingly and willfully, … Continue reading →

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In Which Our Heroine Reads Too Much Cory Doctorow and Thinks She Understands Economics

Posted on July 10, 2012 by thevenerablecorvex

Clarissa has raised a very interesting point at her blog with regard to economic models: The question of an alternative to capitalism is the central question that preoccupies most of philosophers today. If no such alternative exists, then criticizing capitalism … Continue reading →

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The Myth of the Archetypical Human

Posted on July 4, 2012 by thevenerablecorvex

I have a very complex relationship with Plato. As a theoretical physicist, a surprising amount of my methodology is, when you come right down to it, based upon his philosophy. Obviously, I’m not talking about the actual scientific method, with … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal Stuff, Physics | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment