The Butterfly Dream

 

In the previous post, Professor Jennifer Nagel in the 'The Problem of Skepticism' video refers to the Story of the Butterfly Dream by ancient Chinese philosopher Zhuangzi as an example of skepticism.  However, there may be other ways of understanding the story. 

The video above gives three other interpretations of the butterfly dream story:

• A philosophy of life and death - death is a transformation analogous to dreaming, 
• A reflection on being at ease - one should be at ease with life and death,
• A philosophy of identity - identities are temporary and contingent.

An important feature of the last interpretation above is transformation.  When Zhuang Zhou is transformed into a butterfly in his dream, he acquires a different body, including sensory organs and brain.  Thus Zhuang Zhou and the butterfly perceive the world quite differently.  In addition, Zhuang Zhou needs knowledge to function effectively in society.  The butterfly, however, probably does not.  Most insects probably just react to things instinctively. 

It may be difficult for many people to understand why some people can be skeptical about knowledge when it seems to be essential for everyday lives.

Perhaps the story of the butterfly dream gives some ideas of why and how some people can be skeptical about knowledge.  Some people may wish to live simpler lives.  If people live lives in a more instinctive way, like a butterfly flying at ease, then knowledge is not that important to them.  However, if people wish to function effectively in complex societies, then knowledge is essential and they cannot afford to be skeptical about knowledge.

Note:

1. The text of the story of the Butterfly Dream can be found in the following site: https://ctext.org/dictionary.pl?if=en&id=2732#s10024770

Epistemology - The Problem of Scepticism

 

Next Wednesday (28/7/21), we will consider the problem of epistemic scepticism (or skepticism in US and Canada) raised in the above video.  Is knowledge humanly possible?  Does external reality exist?  Is experience merely a dream?

The following videos give some responses to these questions.

PHILOSOPHY - Epistemology: Three Responses to Skepticism

PHILOSOPHY - Epistemology: New Responses to Skepticism

In addition to the 3 questions raised in the post on 19th July, the following questions, relating to the limits of knowledge, may be explored:

• Why is knowledge important?
• Why are some people sceptical of knowledge?
• Which knowledge is important?
• Is knowledge necessarily good?
• How do one form beliefs?
• How can one work out who or which organisation to trust?
• Can non-human animals have knowledge?
• What can humans know about animals' mental states?
• Can humans know the future?

Epistemology - What is Knowledge?

Epistemology is the study of the nature, origin, and limits of human knowledge and related issues. The term is derived from the Greek epistēmē (knowledge) and the suffix -logy (the study of).  Therefore Epistemology is the study of knowledge.   Epistemology is considered one of the four main branches of philosophy, along with ethics, logic, and metaphysics.

The following video introduces a definition of knowledge, the Gettier Problem and two main types of knowledge. 

The following video gives an introduction to Theory of Knowledge.

The following gives further information about Epistemology:

Epistemology, Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy https://iep.utm.edu/epistemo/

Epistemology - The Study of Knowledge

Not that long ago, people used to read the Herald Sun or The Age in the morning and watched the 7 pm news and they would know what is happening in the world.  Now, people have non-stop news 24/7 from all types of news organizations, internet influencers, and friends in social media, but they are confused.

In the coming weeks, I plan to explore questions like:

• What is knowledge?
• Can one rely on knowledge or should one be skeptical?
• How can one know what is true? 

Hopefully exploring questions like these will help with sorting out fact from fiction.

Spinoza - Three important questions

When reading Will Durant's book 'The Story of Philosophy' on Baruch Spinoza,  I came across Spinoza's views on the following three questions:

1. Why should one do philosophy? (p156 - p159)
2. How can one be a good person? (p169 - p170)
3. How can one be free? (p172 - p174)

I believe these to be important philosophical questions.  Please see the relevant passages highlighted in Will Durant's book in this link.

Melbourne is currently in a 5 days' lockdown which is likely to be extended.  Perhaps Spinoza's views on these questions can shed some light on how to cope with difficult situations.