Sign In
Sign In
Create Account
Sign Up
Phil • Cr. Think • Science • Hist • …

The Philosophy Website

Sign In
Create Account
PRACTICE
Wisdom Builder

Three Tidbit Stories

Topic:
Reasoning
Switch

Inference + Logic + Reality = Truth

MODE:
Main Menu

Reasoning.

3 random tidbit stories in about 3 minutes.

1.

Reasoning Story.

Sunghir Burial Site.

30,000 BCE
32,000 Years Ago

The Sungir Burial Site, dating back to around 30,000 BCE, offers a remarkable glimpse into the lives of Upper Paleolithic humans in what is now Russia. The people of Sungir were part of a sophisticated hunter-gatherer society, living in the cold climate of the Russian Plain. They were highly skilled artisans and craftsmen, evidenced by the intricate artifacts found at the site. Housing structures likely included durable, tent-like shelters made from animal hides and bones, designed to withstand harsh weather. The community engaged in complex social and ritualistic practices, as seen in their elaborate burial customs and the use of red ochre, a pigment with significant cultural and symbolic meaning.

Excavations at the Sungir site have uncovered several well-preserved burials, providing invaluable insights into the Upper Paleolithic period. The most famous discoveries include the graves of an adult male and two children, adorned with thousands of mammoth ivory beads, fox canines, and ivory arm bands. These artifacts highlight the advanced craftsmanship and social stratification within the community. The adult male’s grave also contained a mammoth ivory spear, suggesting the significance of hunting in their society. The extensive use of red ochre and the placement of grave goods indicate ritualistic practices and a deep cultural reverence for the deceased. These findings not only underscore the sophistication of Sungir’s inhabitants but also their rich cultural and spiritual life.

 


I wrote that Reasoning Story, 

and posted it to TST 2 years ago.

2.

Reasoning FAQ.

Can anything travel faster than light?.

Yes, the universe itself is. And, lots of matter within it is moving away from each at “speeds” faster than light. However, travelling for us is limited by the universal speed limit. It’s not the speed of light, it’s really about the speed of causation, a fundamental limit built into spacetime. So, any discussion of speed needs to define movement and domain. It’s all relative.

Let’s explore and try to make sense of this.

Let’s start with our part of the universe. No, I’m not talking about Earth or our solar system. Heck, I’m not even talking about the Milky Way Galaxy. I’m starting with the Local Group. Our gravitationally bound corner of the universe. The material we are travelling with through space, nearly forever. You may have heard of the three great galaxies: Andromeda, Triangulum, and our very own Milky Way. The three much larger galaxies among 100 plus galaxies.

What about the trillions of galaxies? Everything else in the universe is flying away from us at an average middle rate of about 2.5 times faster than the speed of light. Billions of years ago, that rate was slower. In billions of years, that rate will be higher. And, there will be a time in the future where intelligent life will claim there are only 100 or so galaxies, and nothing else. From our spacetime point now, we know that’s wrong.

So, within our Local Group, travelling is limited by the universal speed limit. What most people call the speed of light. But the so-called “speed of light” isn’t really about light at all. It’s the speed of causation, a fundamental limit built into spacetime itself as seen “within” our Local Group and throughout the universe.

 


I wrote that Reasoning FAQ, 

and posted it to TST 2 weeks ago.

3.

Reasoning FAQ.

What is the “Parable of the Ship?”.

Parable of the Ship by Roger Williams

Buckle up! We’re about to embark on a fascinating journey through history. Roger Williams wrote his Parable of the Ship in 1655 to promote his groundbreaking idea for the separation of church and state.

Here it is in a nutshell…

Imagine a rickety old ship, creaking its way across the ocean. Crammed on board are folks from all walks of life – Protestants saying grace, Catholics muttering Hail Marys, and a rabbi studying scripture by the light of a flickering lantern. This diverse crew is like a miniature society, and Williams, a sharp thinker aboard this metaphorical vessel, used it to sell his idea.

Back then, folks believed the captain, think government, should also be their religious leader. They figured everyone on board should sing the same hymns and follow the same religious practices. 

His Parable argued that forcing everyone to follow one religion was a recipe for mutiny. He proposed a system where the captain (the government) focuses on keeping the ship afloat – making sure everyone has enough food, the sails are in good order, and nobody goes overboard. As for religion? That’s a personal choice, like choosing your favorite sea shanty to sing while you swab the deck.

Fast-forward to the 18th century, the Founding Fathers included his idea as the very First Amendment. So, the next time you hear about the First Amendment, remember Roger Williams and his trusty Parable of the Ship. It’s a reminder that a smooth-sailing society is one where everyone has the freedom to choose their own religious course, or no religious course, so long as they contribute to the common good and don’t rock the boat too much!

 


I wrote that Reasoning FAQ, 

and posted it to TST 8 months ago.

The end. Refresh for another set.

Scroll to Top