Empiricism vs A Priori

Disclaimer: The following blog is in response to a lecture delivered by Chris Horrie on Tuesday 17 February. I apologise to my vast readership for my slack timekeeping. 

The first thing that occurred to me whilst listening to Chris's description of empiricism was my old teacher from junior school. I always knew Mrs Rendal was an empress within the land of her classroom, but I never knew she was an empiricist. In fact she had encouraged me to think empirically from the tender age of ten years old. 

She said:  "Never take anything anyone says as fact. Always question them, and make sure they can prove it."

In essence this is what the ideology of empiricism is all about.  The notion that evidence is everything. To never succumb to blind faith and assertions. That seeing is believing.

Empiricism has lead to a highly sophisticated technological advance. Particularly in science.

I read recently about studies at the University of Texas and the University of Bath that scientists specializing in genes had created headless mice and headless tadpoles. This is a dangerous discovery. I mean, take the mouse-frog technology, apply it to humans, combine it with cloning, and become a god. With a single cell you could produce a headless replica of yourself! A sort of mutant twin, arguably lifeless, that becomes your own personal organ farm. Dangerous stuff. But certainly highlights the extent of the search for fact and evidence of how our bodies work, how we are created and what we are made of. 

Speaking about how we are created, everyone is talking about the 'baby face baby maker' Alfie Patten and his want of a DNA test to empirically prove he is the biological father. What I want empirically proven is how he managed to get fuel in the engine to produce human life at that age?! Pretty sure there was no lead in my pencil...

From what I gathered 'a priori' is knowledge independent of evidence or experience. Something that can't really be proven either way. The classic example of this is the hysterical view of David Icke that the world is run by super intelligent lizards. No evidence will defeat this view. In fact, the nutjob might have a point, there are certainly plenty of slimey characters about!

Now I am sure poor old Mrs Rendal regretted saying the empiricist stuff to me as I took her words very literally. 

"Miss, how can you prove that Christopher Columbus discovered America?"

"Its written in books Chris."

"Can you show me these books?"

"We only have this cartoon version of the events."

"But you said everything should be proven."

"Shut up and get out Chris."

Murray Gains Edge Over Nadal

I watched Andy Murray collect his 10th tour title at Rotterdam this afternoon. Not only did he win over £200,000, he has got into Nadal's head.

The world number one, who has now lost his last three matches against Murray, is starting to look fairly one-dimensional and doesn't seem to have any ideas how to beat the brit.

Obviously the deciding set (which Murray won 6-0) can be written off as it was apparent Rafa was clearly injured and struggled to move. But, the first two sets highlighted the problems Rafa has with Murray. He can no longer just power him off the court with his heavy groundstrokes, because Murray has the same weapons.

It will be very interesting to see how future encounters between the two go, because Murray certainly has the measure of the world number one.

Lecture 10 Feb - What a State

I found Chris's mention of city states interesting in today's lecture.

It is common knowledge that each city in the UK has its own identity, so wouldn't it be interesting if we were divided into city states?

Ancient Greece housed some wonderful contrasts just miles apart from each other. In one Polis you had the military efficient, socially strict, blood-thirsty Spartans; and just miles away was the center for the arts, learning, philosophy, the young male shagging Athenians with their direct democracy.

Can you imagine some of the variations the UK would get? Norwich would be ruled by the webbed feet masses passing laws encouraging breeding between relations, Lemington Spa would be controlled by turn of the century gents, and can you imagine Glasgow governing itself?!

In all seriousness, it is highly unlikely to happen. The first step would of course be devolution for Scotland and Wales, but that still seems some way off.

Interesting thought though.