Knowledge Theorie

Optimism. Ideas from @ToKTeacher, @DavidDeutschOxf, @naval, and Karl Popper. Curated by @pixelhacks.

[Knowledge Theorie @TOKphysics]

This could be the most important blog post you've ever read about resources, by @ToKTeacher: https://t.co/2h6PGbXcTU

[Knowledge Theorie @TOKphysics]

The rational thing for a layperson to do is to take seriously the prevailing scientific theory. @DavidDeutschOxf

[Knowledge Theorie @TOKphysics]

This idea that “the science is settled” is nonsense. It implies that we can all agree on the process with which we come up with new theories. But new theories come through creativity and conjecture. The door is always open for new people with new ideas. @naval

[Knowledge Theorie @TOKphysics]

Problems in our future will only ever increase in number. But... with an effort, the ones that would otherwise destroy us can be eliminated. @ToKTeacher

[Knowledge Theorie @TOKphysics]

Bad philosophy before the Enlightenment was typically of the because-I-say-so variety. When the Enlightenment liberated philosophy and science, they both began to make progress, and increasingly there was good philosophy. But bad philosophy became worse. @DavidDeutschOxf

[Knowledge Theorie @TOKphysics]

Central planners cannot know what is going on on the ground as well as the locals. @ToKTeacher

[Knowledge Theorie @TOKphysics]

I can see a perverse future in which an Ayn Rand objectivist is debating an anarcho-capitalist in some theater when actual government-backed fascists bash in the door, shut it all down and take them away. @ToKTeacher

[Knowledge Theorie @TOKphysics]

The war of ideas is a Greek invention. It is one of the most important inventions ever made. Indeed, the possibility of fighting with with words and ideas instead of fighting with swords is the very basis of our civilization. — Karl Popper

[Knowledge Theorie @TOKphysics]

If you believe that knowledge comes through creativity, then any child born tomorrow could be the next Einstein or Feynman. They could discover something that will change the world forever with creativity that has nonlinear outputs and effects. @naval

[Knowledge Theorie @TOKphysics]

An atom is infinitely complex, a galaxy is infinitely complex, a person is infinitely complex. We will go on explaining each of these things approximately, but with increasing fidelity over time, using our tools of reason to detect and correct errors. @ToKTeacher

[Knowledge Theorie @TOKphysics]

Scientific method in politics means that the great art of convincing ourselves that we have not made any mistakes, and of blaming others from them, is replaced by the greater art of accepting the responsibility for them, and of trying to learn from them. — Karl Popper

[Knowledge Theorie @TOKphysics]

Our claims about reality amount to statements, not propositions. Propositions being the elemental claims about reality that have a final truth value. A statement is an approximation to a proposition. @ToKTeacher

[Knowledge Theorie @TOKphysics]

Good tests kill flawed theories; we remain alive to guess again. — Karl Popper

[Knowledge Theorie @TOKphysics]

Once we realize that human knowledge is fallible, we realize also that we can never be completely certain that we have not made a mistake. — Karl Popper

[Knowledge Theorie @TOKphysics]

And I believe that only a revival of interest in these riddles [of the world] can save the sciences and philosophy from an obscurantist faith in the expert’s special skill and in his personal knowledge and authority. — Karl Popper

[Knowledge Theorie @TOKphysics]

An unproblematic state is a state without creative thought. Its other name is death. @DavidDeutschOxf

[Knowledge Theorie @TOKphysics]

Tradition is about maintaining the status quo. One mechanism a society or a culture use to maintain the status quo is to ensure that the existing practices, ideas, and behaviors are not criticized. @ToKTeacher

[Knowledge Theorie @TOKphysics]

It made sense to be pessimistic in the past. It makes sense to be optimistic today. @naval

[Knowledge Theorie @TOKphysics]

The value is in the knowledge, and the knowledge is inside the observer and the creator, in other words, a human. It’s not inside the thing itself. @naval

[Knowledge Theorie @TOKphysics]

Most physical theories are pretty free of immunizing tactics and highly falsifiable to start with. As a rule, they exclude an infinity of conceivable possibilities. — Karl Popper

[Knowledge Theorie @TOKphysics]

The value is in the knowledge, and the knowledge is inside the observer and the creator, in other words, a human. It’s not inside the thing itself. @naval