/lit/ - Literature

How does one gain knowledge? Quite haphazardly, the real answer is. We gain it by very many means and very many ways. Since knowledge pours in through myriad channels, the quality and purity of it, depends strongly on the method of acquisition. A scholar who pursues knowledge as the goal of his existence needs to formalize this method so that he can identify and discriminate the worthwhile portion with a grace that manifests as an art as opposed to a practice.

To begin with formalization, we must first identify if there are some natural elements to the process of formalization itself. This question in fact can not be answered through a formal method as it automatically invokes the self-reference paradox. What we need, is to realize that all fundamental arguments are arrived at using common sense. Common sense is nothing but the identification of facts of nature as axiomatic foundations of frameworks we build to explore information. The reason such frameworks need to be built is because the words Knowledge or Information have no real meaning outside of sentient comprehension. Which implies that such frameworks are not natural facts themselves. Stones do not acquire knowledge after all. This may not be the only or the most useful way of gaining knowledge, but that is not the object of this exercise. The real aim here is to find a way and then develop it further. What if a better means is discovered in the future? We then simply choose to adopt the new one. Until then, the current format persists.

I think this is the most accurate portray of such a scenario that has been made. I cannot wait for the movie, which I heard might be a trilogy, so we could see everything.

>mfw Battle of Yonkers on screen

>>2103554
The same is true of natural sciences, but in a more honest, clear way. The language here is mathematics and the ideas are of physics. Those who understand mathematics well can use their vocabulary of methods and apply it to unearth the true, deep laws of physics. Take for example Schrodinger: he used the wave equations to model probability densities. Similarly consider Heisenberg: using linear algebra of operators to design the fundamental structure of quantum mechanics. Think Poincare, think Minkowsky, who motivated Einstein to use the famous four vector formulations to discover the relativistic mechanics. Think Newton, who invented his own language to solve the riddle of plummeting apples.

Words are indeed power. In more ways than one thinks, if he doesn't extend his vocabulary.