History 2D: Science, Magic, and Religion, Lecture 2, UCLA

[Geistjaeger]

I don't mean to objectify her appearance, and I'm listening to these because she's a good lecturer, but when I clicked on this I couldn't help myself. That hat is adorable.

[GibbonJabber]

Why the silly hat? I presumed it was a gimmick that would be revealed at the end, but nothing happened.

[MaxSulhi]

@GibbonJabber well well, let us leave our dear professor alone :) everyone has the right to wear anything so long as it does not offend anybody, right?

[DrummerBoyJason]

Great course, even better hat.

[hepkatt66]

Here we see Sandra Bullock racing from her role in a western film, and arriving just in time to teach this lecture.

[petmensan]

Honestly, is there anything better then a cute girl in a hat teaching a secular religious studies class?

[m14slamfire]

she should start her own religion

[carsanookdotcom]

Merci beaucoup

L'education par preferance!

BangkokJohnny

Royaume de Thailande

[TheStudonfire]

how can anybody not pay attention in her class?

[annoloki]

The hat's not too distracting... the string on the other hand... *lol*

[11eyeOpener11]

thank you for posting Professor Courtenay Raia UCLACourses! you are a Goddess!

[RoadRunnerLaser]

What twaddle is this woman spouting?

Science walls off it's domain?

That's like saying "Reading fenced off the sandpit"...

Science is a MEANS by which we discover things about our environment. A process.

I'd have ignored it, but she then went on to talk about the importance of language... go back to school, cowgirl !

[troweltheory]

@RoadRunnerLaser she is talking about science as ideology, not as a method. read james frazer or any armchair sociologist/anthropologist from the 19th century to understand what she is talking about. you're the one who needs to go back to school, friend

[RoadRunnerLaser]

@troweltheory - I went to school during the 20th Century. Today, it's the 21st. You might just as well tell anyone criticising geocentrism as a valid world-view to read Aristotle, pal!

Science is not an ideology. It is a method. Thanks to science, we reject false ideologies and we now understand the heliocentric model.

[troweltheory]

@RoadRunnerLaser I went to school during the 21st Century (I guess I am more modern than you!). Your lack of knowledge on the history of science, and adamant refusal to recognize its relevance, is terribly ahistorical. How can anyone criticize geocentrism if they have not read the research the model is based upon? So yes, if you want to critique geocentrism you should probably read Aristotle so you can at least look like you know what it is you are actually critiquing. It's called good science.

[RoadRunnerLaser]

@troweltheory - Sadly for you, twack, your diversionary tactics don't alter the fact that neither a method nor an ideology is capable of "walling off its domain". It requires people to do such a thing. To make such an error and then go on to discuss the importance of language demonstrates that she hasn't put enough thought into what she's actually saying. If you want to criticise, try reading the point I made. Your 21st Century education is failing you. Maybe you'll acquire wisdom with age.

[troweltheory]

@RoadRunnerLaser Right, it sounds like you are a positivist. Science is an epistemology, not a method. I think you are conflating the scientific method with the philosophical term "science." They mean very different things, and the meaning of "science" is rooted in historical contingency, which is what she is trying to explain. She is explaining how people have tried to define and understand science through time. You think she is stupid because you think "science" is scientific method.

[RoadRunnerLaser]

@troweltheory - What you think I might sound like is irrelevant. You can define science as a method, an epistemology, an ideology or a philosophy and it still won't acquire the ability to "wall off its domain". If she is explaining how people have tried to define and understand science through time then isn't it obvious that it is people who have walled off domains, not science. If you disagree, then perhaps you'd address my point instead of putting words in my mouth.

[troweltheory]

@RoadRunnerLaser I addressed your point. Science can wall of its domain because it is a philosophy that transformed into an institution that is ruled by people. She moves between science as philosophy and science as institution. Your problem, again, is that you conflate "science" with "scientific method." Your problem of conflation, sloppy thinking as she calls it, is that you conflate too much, which is indicative of a positivist philosophy that is inherently reductive.

[RoadRunnerLaser]

@troweltheory - Point out to me where you stated that science is an institution and I will not only concede that you actually addressed my argument, I'll apologise. However, you didn't. You called it an ideology (not an institution), an epistimology (not an institution) and a philosophy (not an institution). Only in this comment did you refer to science as an institution. However, although I might agree that you addressed my point, I would disagree with the idea of science as an institution.

[RoadRunnerLaser]

@RoadRunnerLaser - Your arguments have been shifting sand peppered with attributing characteristics to me which are the constructs of your own imagination. You didn't address my point and you argued with a figment of your own imagination.

[troweltheory]

@RoadRunnerLaser Lastly, my argument has been nothing more than saying that you have misunderstood her meaning and intent because the terms that she uses come from a discipline you were not trained in. It is important to be explicit about what concepts a term is being used to convey, otherwise there is this level of talking past each other. This is why it is important to not be so reactionary and to think critically about where she is coming from and what she is trying to convey.

[RoadRunnerLaser]

@troweltheory - I agree that it is important to be explicit and to use language effectively. I think she is making an error in anthropomorphising something which although created by human-beings, lacks the intent and cognitive processes with which she endows it. She describes territorial behaviour consistent with a biological organism, not a philosophy, an epistomology nor an ideology.

[RoadRunnerLaser]

@troweltheory - ... and I'm sure you're not really so daft as to assert that one needs to know the entire history of an idea (such as geocentrism) to understand that it is flawed. I'd recommend that you don't pretend to be.

[troweltheory]

@RoadRunnerLaser If your 20th century education is where you learned to argue through ad hominen attacks, I am delighted to fail in its measure of success. To understand a concept is flawed is one thing, but to argue why intelligently and coherently is completely another. If you want to have credibility as a scholar, then yes, you better know your history back and forth. While it might frighten lazy or impatient undergrads, this rigor is the norm for quality academic research.

[RoadRunnerLaser]

@troweltheory - It seems you are ignorant of the meaning of "ad-hominem" and you are still attempting to draw attention away from the point that I raised rather than actually addressing it.

[troweltheory]

@RoadRunnerLaser Right, this is typical of internet "debates." You debase my arguments my asserting and reasserting my "daftness," "ignorance," my "failing education," lack of wisdom, and knack for "pretending." Forgive me if I left any other of your character assassinations out. You have constructed an image over several posts of me as a charlatan, a trickster, and a fool while arguing that she has made an error for no more reason than just because you say so.

[RoadRunnerLaser]

@troweltheory - I didn't debase your arguments by insulting you. I addressed your arguments by repeatedly stating why your posts did not address my point, then insulted you for your attempt. The very fact that I addressed your comments and that my arguments did not rely on my portrayal of your character means that your accusation of making ad-hominem attacks is unfounded. You should learn the difference between an ad-hominem and an insult.

[Guear12344]

@RoadRunnerLaser - I ended up losing my previous comment that I was writing, so I'll just say this. Please refer to the previous lecture regarding the 'boundary' keeping religion out, and science in. Science as a way of thinking, an approach to knowledge or acquisition of knowledge, and the people who ascribe to that method. Akin, perhaps, to tutoring or standardized education 'walling off' other forms of learning or knowledge declaration.

-Ronnie

[Guear12344]

Sure, the school building itself might not kick out other learning techniques, but those who ascribe a method of incremental knowledge and foundations of materials used for later derivations instead of rote formula memorization will not be able to abide or integrate other systems, and 'wall off', or isolate from and avoid discussing with those in the other territory.

[Guear12344]

That's just a guess at what I feel that many reading here surmise to be the message. Analogy, not necessarily prioritizing the anthropomorphism you feel that she is using to possibly condemn science in the manner of a close minded individual.

-Ronnie

[chinahands100]

lik the hat

[Neueregel]

Typical american religious crap. I am so glad i don't have to UCLA.

[carsanookdotcom]

@Neueregel 30 likes and one dislike. Herr Neuregel ist the dislike. However, some people always like to dislike.

BangkokJohnny

[Manuel4595]

the hat is a little distracting but I like the way that she presents her material. this does not mean that I have to agree with everything either. Well presented material.

[carsanookdotcom]

@Manuel4595  Thanks for your balanced comment. BangkokJohnny

[yvette74731]

wowo, that teacher looks like Courtney Cox and Sandra bullock

[Yaminah7]

Ok it began to work with the playlist!

[Yaminah7]

It keeps getting stuck at 2:06min....

[TheSpear77clas]

The most idolised and mysterious monument of the pyramid built as early as 3rd dynasty is still a mystery in many ways. a country who he was privileged to encounter and who's idea's were not destroyed but adopted by all invaders tells me what and who he learnt it from.

[TheSpear77clas]

I have no doubt that wile it is claimed that Pythagoras points of learning and learning which discipline from who is ambiguous. spending over 20 years in Egypt who in the 6Th century was in it's 26Th dynasty about to witness the invasion of the Achaemenid Empire. like most figures endeared with discovery and pioneering and subjective thought he was merely a stumbler like those before him. Coming to great knowledge after encounters with already established idea's with practical tangible results.

[beenerboy]

Do people really pay money to listen to this? How many times does she say "ergo" per lecture?

[nauticapnoy12]

i could go to UCLA campus and get her class text book... but i would appreciate it if someone email me her syllabus..Thanks!!

[sag1101]

I am in love...

[yukamika]

me too!!

[jasonmycol]

can i be emailed a syilibis for this class, and what books do i need?

[jeboshifru]

"Any questions?" none. Of course. It's more performans then lecture.

[eldogg4life]

thanks for posting!!!