Philosophy
Books
Paradoxes
of Free Will, by Gunther Siegmund Stent
Free will as our principle (but not sole) example of a deep truth that reflects
the ultimate limits of human reason. (Full text online)
The
Tao of Physics, by Fritjof Capra
An exploration of the parallels between modern physics and eastern mysticism.
(complete text pdf)
Articles
Equations
as icons, by Robert P. Crease
Why is it that particular equations, formulas and expressions become icons?
God,
Approximately, by Brian Cantwell Smith
If we truly understand what has happened, intellectually, in the last hundred
years, that will overturn our sense not only of where we stand, but of what
we need to do to meet the religious challenge.
Is
God Mathematician? by Claes Johnson
Questioning the quasi-religious position of mathematics in contemporary culture
and education.
Charles Sanders Peirce
There is no doubt that language evolves, and Peirce made foundational contributions
to the theory of semiotics, the study of signs and symbols.
"Every symbol is a living thing, in a very strict sense that is no mere figure of speech. The body of the symbol changes slowly, but its meaning inevitably grows, incorporates new elements and throws off old ones." Every symbol is, in its origin, either an image of the idea signified, or a reminiscence of some original occurrence, person or thing, connected with its meaning, or it is a metaphor.
"A regular progression of one, two, three may be remarked
in the three orders of signs, Icon, Index, Symbol. The Icon has no dynamical
connection with the object it represents; it simply happens that its qualities
resemble those of that object, and excite analogous sensations in the mind
for which it is a likeness. But it really stands unconnected with them. The
Index is physically connected with its object; they make an organic pair, but
the interpreting mind has nothing to do with this connection, except remarking
it, after it is established. The Symbol [ground] is connected with its object
by virtue of the idea of the symbol-using mind [interpretant], without which
no such connection would exist."
Charles Sanders Peirce, Collected Papers II, Elements of Logic, 2.222
The
Age of Outrospection, by Jonny Miller
"Imagine for a moment that you are reading or listening to a story so intensely
that you forget yourself and step into the shoes of the storyteller. You
see what they saw, hear what they heard, and feel what they felt. These moments
are rare, yet when they happen it is as if we have been transported into
their world and we are able to see through their eyes. It is a powerful,
almost magical feeling. One that is a privilege."
Videos
The
Cave
An Adaptation of Plato’s Allegory in Clay
Plato’s
Allegory of the Cave, by Alex Gendler
An animated retelling of Plato's allegory.
Links to book descriptions
Sophie's
World, by Jostein Gaarder
Both a novel and a basic guide to philosophy, Sophie's World is a good semi-scifi
intro, precedent, and analogy to eipiphiny.