SEE: Concrete-Boundedness and Second Hand Knowledge

This week, I discuss a common problem I see in my classmates' approach to learning science, and contrast it with my own. I then throw around some ideas about the proper standards for evaluating second-hand knowledge, whether as a layman or as a professional in the field.




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SEE: Why start an Objectivist Campus Club, and Precision in Language

Here's the second episode of SEE! I hope you enjoy:



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For those who are interested in my process, I start by writing a simple outline, like the one below (don't spoil the ending, listen first!):

Why start a club?

• Activism
• Discussion
• Social Interaction

Progress so far

• Meeting with club peopleguys
• Email to UR Philosophy club
• Possibility of heavy participation in RIT club instead

Clarity in Language.

• Common view: Language primarily for communication
• Descriptivists: The rules are set by whatever people actually use in order to communicate
• Prescriptivists: The rules are set out, typically by an "established authority", and Must Be Followed.
• Minor aside: Parallel between intrinsicists and subjectivists?
• Difficult to decide between the two
• On the one hand, it seems like the descriptivists might be right that a common understanding is all that's necessary for communication, yet the results range from difficult to understand to unintelligible to outright offensive
• On the other hand, it seems like the prescriptivists might be right that communication needs solid rules, yet typically no basis for the rules is given besides tradition
• The Objectivist view, or the way out: Language primarily for cognition
• Man has a specific kind of consciousness that behaves a certain way
• Precision in language necessary because language shapes thought: sloppy definitions/usages will lead to packaging things that should be separate, or separating things that should be together, even if one knows that such packaging is wrong (Eg: "proselytizing" in Objectivism, "paleo" in diet, "knowledge" in computation)
• The purpose of concepts (unit-economy) rules out unnecessary neologisms (Rand's Razor), but requires new terms be formed when appropriate (psychoepistemology)
• The communication view as meaningless on its own: what happens when one communicates?
• Descriptivists: What do you mean by common understanding, by the other person "getting it"? Some sort of emotional agreement, or what?
• Prescriptivists: Why do your rules matter if language is merely a vessel for spreading thought, which is held in some undefined form in a given individual?
• Possible parallel to ethics: the discussion of moral systems before it is determined what morality is for, defining good as "good for others"

When I actually sit down to do the podcast, I have this in front of me, and for each major section I record in one go. Over time, I'm sure this method will be changed, but that's what I do for now! The outlining for this podcast took me about an hour, and the recording and putting in of transitions another hour.

SEE: Introducing the Science, Engineering, and Epistemology Podcast (Plus Statistics!)

I first had the idea for a podcast at the end of last semester, but my first recording of the first episode was overwritten during production and then finals and winter break got in the way. I finally re-recorded that episode though, so here it is!
EDIT 2/8/2010: I forgot to mention: I'll try to record one of these every week. Also, I was right about Pythagoras in the episode.
EDIT 2/8/2010: Whoops, forgot the download link: Download
EDIT 2/10/2010: I'm trying out PodBean. Let's see how this works:

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Objectivist Campus Club Checklist

After three semesters of careful thought and observation of the activities of various Objectivist campus clubs, I've decided to try and start one here at Rochester. My reasons for doing so will be addressed in a future post, but I thought I'd put up the U of R checklist for starting a new organization and update this post as I complete each step.

Checklist for New Student Organizations

1. 
   
   Registration forms and The Handbook: Schedule an appointment with an advisor in Wilson Commons Student Activities (201 Wilson Commons) to receive the New Organization Registration Forms, Checklist for New Student Organizations, and Student Organization Handbook. [I emailed the Student Activities Office about setting up an appointment with an advisor at 1:29 EST on 1/29/10. I scheduled an appointment with an advisor for 3:15 PM EST on 2/4/2010]
2. 
   
   SA Policy and Review Committee: Contact the Chairperson of the SA Policy and Review Committee. Contact information can be found on the Students’ Association website (http://sa.rochester.edu). Complete Part 1 of the New Organization Registration Forms and submit it via email to the Chairperson before meeting with the committee. The Policy Committee will schedule a time for you to attend a meeting where you will talk about your organization. The committee will then review and contact you in two business days with their decision. At that time, it will also be determined whether your organization is eligible for funding or not.
3. 
   
   Preliminary registration period: Once you have received preliminary approval from the committee and obtained the appropriate advisor signatures, turn in Part 2 of the New Organization Registration Forms to WCSA. You will then have 2 months in the preliminary registration period to complete the following items. Failure to complete the items may result in cancellation of preliminary status and benefits.
   1. 
      
      Hold a General Interest Meeting: Advertising for this meeting can help to make students aware thatyourorganizationhasbeenestablished. Youmayrequestupto$30ofNewOrganization Development Funds through your WCSA advisor.
   2. 
      
      Members: Recruit undergraduate students as prospective members. Be prepared to provide the SA Policy Committee with at least 12 names of people who are interested in joining your organization.
   3. 
      
      Select an Executive Board: Minimally, select undergraduate students to serve as President and Business Manager of the organization.
   4. 
      
      Campus Club Connection: Familiarize yourself with Campus Club Connection as this is the official resource for student organizations. It can be found at http://rochester.edu/living/organizations . Log onto Campus Club Connection and complete the public information about your organization, officer contacts, and member lists.
   5. 
      
      Constitution: Work with a Committee member to create and finalize your constitution. The approved constitution format is available on the Campus Club Connection Resources Page and from the Policy and Review Committee.
      • Mission: Create a mission statement (1-2 sentences) identifying the organization’s goals and purpose.
4. 
   
   Return to SA Policy and Review committee: When the above tasks have been accomplished, again contact the Policy and Review Committee for final approval. Once the approval has been given, your organization will be put on the Senate agenda. Note: You do not have to take the whole two months to accomplish the listed tasks; contact the Committee when you are ready.
5. 
   
   Appear Before Senate: At a meeting, the Senate will vote on whether to recognize your organization. If recognized, obtain signatures from the Speaker and a representative officer of your organization on your constitution. Upload your approved constitution to your Campus Club Connection site and give a copy to the Policy Committee Chair.