I just quickly want to jot down a small (but big) idea that has been germinating in my mind recently.
It seems to me that most complex concepts - in philosophy, science, etc. - start with very simple epiphanies.
There's the classic Isaac Newton example. I can't claim to understand, nor read, any of his writings, but his big idea started small: an apple fell on his head, thus the concept of gravity came about. Eureka.
And for a lot of complicated philosophical ideas to be expounded, they are often required to be presented with a simple starting point. John Stuart Mill's utilitarianism, for instance, though a complex branch of philosophy starts with a premise that a Mozart symphony requires greater levels of intelligence and knowledge than eating an ice-cream... which leads to several discussions, theories, elaborations etc. etc. etc.
This may seem v. self-evident or simply platitudinous (my very use of this word may seem like a platitude in itself)... It's merely a (small) thought that has amused my mind recently.
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EDIT - When writng this I was not aware of any (possible) sexual connotations in the title of this post.
3 comments:
This is particularly true in physics. Nearly all big scientific ideas have a very basic root whether it's in Einstein's Relativity or Quantum Physics. Einstein actually only used two axioms and from these derived Special Relativity, turning science on its head and revolutionising our view of space and time. The final result may be conceptually difficult but its beginnings are very humble indeed.
To give your brain a little rest from your intensive studies of physics, here is a little levity, the Derek & Clive recordings I've mentioned to you before: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SentQjMIioY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUZq6cjXjzs
Great comment, btw!
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