The objectively neutral objects in our world, when coming into interaction with us,are instantly influenced by the paradigms which we live in, specifically, by our perceptions of stimuli. Take a spoon for example. Objectively it is a piece of matter, but our stimuli acknowledges and recognizes it as what we call, a ‘spoon’. And the usage of the term of ‘spoon’ conforms to Wittgenstein’s Law of Languages; the understanding that the piece of matter should be called a ‘spoon’ is limited to those who understand the same language as the ‘spoon’ caller.

Paradigm shifts are similar to Darwin’s evolution theory in the sense that both undergo the processes of natural selection. Science (or paradigms) is not evolving towards a specific target of complete understanding of the world, but rather evolving away from human’s primitive beginnings. Scientific progression is not already linearly set out in stone. Our understanding constantly increases, and is influenced by many practitioners within the paradigm, but there is no fixed course. It would be fallacious to claim that the science of mechanics was destined to progress from Aristotelian mechanics to Einsteinian and that the Newtonian leap was a irrelevant and predetermined part of progress. The same applies to Darwin’s theory on evolution. It will be clearly inaccurate to say that prokaryotes from 4 million years ago were already programmed to evolve into human beings.

Back to the ‘spoon’ ‘noumena’ : as the stimuli we receive regarding the spoon increases, our understanding of it improves too. We are able to gradually identify its colour, texture, surface, weight and et cetera. In scientific progressions, the same thing is also occurring. For a new paradigm to replace an old one, it must be able to fir more facets, more phenomena, and answer more anomalies. Thus as paradigms are constantly replaced, our scientific knowledge grows too.

Sidenote: Its ok to ignore this WoT post. Have really been thinking about too much crap today these few days.

This discourse assumes basic understanding of Kuhn, Kant, Wittgenstein and basic epistemology.

What does one get from attending a conference?

Emoness!

Will update on an interesting event that happened during the conference soon. =D

@ISYF (International Science Youth Forum, SG) now, its been really busy recently.

There are 12 participating nations, from Malaysia, SEA countries, to China, Japan and Taiwan. There have been dialogues, panel discussions and research attachments over these few days. I will share about the events that have happened in a later post.

Well, the post title rises a few eye browns doesnt it? For those who are not familar with this Malay proverb, it can be literally translated into English as ‘Countryside Person’. Figuratively, it means that a person that only appears to be excellent when placed within a small or limited setting.

Thats exactly what I am feeling now.

My fellow forum-mates are multiple international award winners. Theres one guy from Taiwan with a Gold Medal in IPO (International Physics Olympiad, 5 gold medals worldwide every year), a 15 year old girl with a gold medal in IMO, and a philipines guy with a silver in IMO.

Thats one hell-load of brain power.

They have classes from 7.30 to 5 in the afternoon, and then extra studying at night. In contrast, I get home at 2pm and still do less than them.

Its probably too late for me to change anything.

But I will try.