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Don't IQ-raising points of view usually have this dark side? For example, the methods of analytic geometry and calculus let you solve problems mechanically tha
by psykotic 16y ago
Don't IQ-raising points of view usually have this dark side?
For example, the methods of analytic geometry and calculus let you solve problems mechanically that would be difficult or even impossible by other means. That's great if you're just trying to get an answer. It's not so great when you realize after executing a rigorous calculus proof of Snell's Law that you are not an inch closer to understanding why Snell's Law is really true. You turned yourself into an unthinking piece of machinery.
This applies not only to calculus. Most people who can execute the algorithms for calculating with fractions or solving linear equations don't actually understand what they're doing. They want an answer and they get it.
- michael_nielsen 16y agoI think it's true that when you adopt one perspective you (momentarily, at least) often suppress other perspectives. The trick seems to be to have ways of generating lots of different perspectives.
- psykotic 16y agoAbsolutely. The problem is that the most powerful points of view are so effective they're easy to confuse with reality. That's the upside and downside of reductionism in a sentence. :)
- khafra 16y agoWhen you can do the proof, you actually do understand; you just may not understand your understanding (viz. the SMBC comic on Polish Hand Math; I think this is it: http://www.smbc-comics.com/index.php?db=comics&id=1917 http://www.smbc-comics.com/index.php?db=comics&id=1917)