Aristotle and the modern computer (Chris Dixon, The Atlantic)
Aristotle and the modern computer: how the Greek philosopher's logic influenced the mathematical equations that underlie digital computation.
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03, 2017
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03, 2017
Classical literacy and modern scholarship
Classical literacy and modern scholarship: how knowledge of Latin and Greek might deepen our current understanding of things, according to a German physicist; but the effort faces widespread difficulties: "No one learns Latin and Greek anymore, and therefore everything becomes superficial." This is the complaint of most learned journals, even though they themselves are simultaneously, and insensibly, [...]
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03, 2017
Saving the humanities through history (Rens Bod, Chronicle of Higher Education)
How understanding the humanities' past illuminates their present and future importance, as they have discovered new findings critical to understanding our world.
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03, 2017
“Philosophia vitae magistra”: philosophy is the teacher of life
"Philosophia vitae magistra": philosophy is the teacher of life Who is unaware that human life without the liberal arts is not only destitute and empty, but indeed far inferior and worse to that of many animals? When I then turn my attention to philosophy itself, how many times have I heard from you that it in [...]
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03, 2017
Modern tragedy: the fears of physical annihilation and the role of the writer
Modern tragedy: the fears of physical annihilation and the role of the writer Our tragedy today is a general and universal physical fear so long sustained by now that we can even bear it. There are no longer problems of the spirit. There is only one question: When will I be blown up? Because of [...]
28
02, 2017
Science and (the absence of) happiness
Science and (the absence of) happiness: to what degree do science and technology condition our sense of happiness? During the last few generations humankind has made an extraordinary advance in the natural sciences and in their technological application and has established humanity's control over nature in a way never before imagined.... People are proud of these achievements, [...]
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02, 2017
Humanities citizens and industrial consumers (Sarah Churchwell, Times Higher Education)
How the humanities may lead us to greater self-knowledge, beyond the demands of the market place.
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02, 2017
Combining medical insights with ancient texts to understand past diseases
Combining medical insights with ancient texts to understand past diseases. Francesco Galassi, a paleopathographist, explains its promise: Palaeopathography is a unique opportunity for palaeopathology, since it allows the investigation of symptoms and signs of diseases, vital for medicine, yet unavailable when only studying ancient bones or mummies. This is especially viable with famous historical figures [...]
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02, 2017
The humanities at Davos (YaleNews)
The humanities at Davos: Yale's President Peter Salovey, a scholar of emotional intelligence, speaks at the World Economic Forum about the place of humanities. From the article: Speaking at the reception ... Salovey emphasized the ways that the humanities can promote understanding, such as how the study of languages can provide insights into a culture, reading literature can [...]
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02, 2017
Charles Darwin and the Tree of Life
Charles Darwin and the Tree of Life David Attenborough wrote and narrated this informative documentary