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Ideas for 'Thinking About Mathematics', '26: Oracles in Decline' and 'Phil Applications of Cognitive Science'

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4 ideas

12. Knowledge Sources / B. Perception / 3. Representation
Elephants can be correctly identified from as few as three primitive shapes [Goldman]
     Full Idea: An elephant may be fully represented by nine primitive shapes ('geons'), but it may require as few as three geons in appropriate relations to be correctly identified.
     From: Alvin I. Goldman (Phil Applications of Cognitive Science [1993], p.7)
     A reaction: Encouraging the idea of the mind as a maker of maps and models
12. Knowledge Sources / B. Perception / 5. Interpretation
The way in which colour experiences are evoked is physically odd and unpredictable [Goldman]
     Full Idea: A unique yellow experience may be evoked with monochrome light of 580nm, or a mixture of 540nm and 670nm. ..Our interpretation of colour experience is a highly idiosyncratic artefact of our visual system.
     From: Alvin I. Goldman (Phil Applications of Cognitive Science [1993], p.117)
     A reaction: This confirms what I have always thought - that colour (as qualia) is strictly a feature of minds, not of the world.
12. Knowledge Sources / C. Rationalism / 1. Rationalism
Rationalism tries to apply mathematical methodology to all of knowledge [Shapiro]
     Full Idea: Rationalism is a long-standing school that can be characterized as an attempt to extend the perceived methodology of mathematics to all of knowledge.
     From: Stewart Shapiro (Thinking About Mathematics [2000], 1.1)
     A reaction: Sometimes called 'Descartes's Dream', or the 'Enlightenment Project', the dream of proving everything. Within maths, Hilbert's Programme aimed for the same certainty. Idea 22 is the motto for the opposition to this approach.
12. Knowledge Sources / D. Empiricism / 2. Associationism
Gestalt psychology proposes inbuilt proximity, similarity, smoothness and closure principles [Goldman]
     Full Idea: Gestalt psychology claims that there are at least four unlearned factors in perceptual grouping - the principles of proximity (close things), of similarity, of good continuation (extending lines in a smooth course), and closure (which completes figures).
     From: Alvin I. Goldman (Phil Applications of Cognitive Science [1993], p.103)
     A reaction: This offers a bridge between Hume's associationism and rationalist claims of innate ideas