Phenomenological Primitive Cognition

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I am taking a brief pause from my 4-5 week (so far) MASSIVE project (Page) I’m currently working on to share this wonderful blog-post from a blogger I follow. I think some of you would really enjoy it, as I did.

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“Crossing Cognitive Chasms with P-prims.” He begins…

Apparently, roughly 10% of humans still believe that the Earth is larger than the Sun. Do they believe this because they haven’t been properly educated? Possibly. Do they believe this because they’re stupid? Probably not.

In fact, the most likely explanation is that the individuals concerned just haven’t thought that much about it. The Earth looks big; the Sun looks like a small disc in the sky; ergo, the Sun is smaller than the Earth.

The individuals are relying on what Andrea diSessa (1988) would call a phenomenological primitive or p-prim: “These are simple abstractions from common experiences that are taken as relatively primitive in the sense that they generally need no explanation; they simply happen.”

What is a p-prim (phenomenological primitive)?

 

More from E=mc2andallthat…

One of the concepts I took away from E=mc2’s excellent post was that so very much of our own perspective, our own measurements, are greatly influenced by our own TINY experiences and background compared to all other perspectives and measurements. Fascinatingly, E=mc2 used a science lab experience of heat radiation emitters and absorbers to support and explain various applications:

…a substance [or idea, or behavior] that is good at one thing can also be good at its opposite.

Be sure to click on his “Father Dougal” video-link! Hahaha!

Does it benefit someone and humanity when one person or a large group maintain a fairly stable cognition of opposites so that each can be understood more deeply and appreciated fairly? Personally, I am very, very fond of my habit of continually understanding and appreciating my good and my evil, as well as others who like crossing that chasm! 🤩 😈

What are your thoughts?

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Live Well — Love Much — Laugh Often — Learn Always

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22 thoughts on “Phenomenological Primitive Cognition”

  1. The p-prim concept is compelling, and it correlates to my recent post on growing anti-science sentiment in America.

    >>> “Does it benefit someone and humanity when one person or a large group maintain a fairly stable cognition of opposites so that each can be understood more deeply and appreciated fairly?”

    Yes, I think so.

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    • I too agree Robert. Ironically, one of the most significant lessons I learned in my years of Christian ministries for young men, high schoolers, and via my Christian curriculum for educating leaders and followers was this very concept.

      In other words, one cannot truly empathize/appreciate the highs of joy without truly experiencing the bottom lows of despair and pain. One cannot truly empathize/appreciate the role of leader without walking in the shoes of a follower. The latter applies to some of history’s all-time greatest Generals, or Colonels, or Captains that lead side-by-side with their enlisted men. All through Norman Schwarzkopf’s military career that’s what made him a soldier’s General. Therefore, I often deeply appreciate, and try to appreciate more, both ends of the spectrum. More times than not the experience, good or bad, painful or pleasurable, brings forms of solid balance. 🙂

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      • Indeed. It follows then, that those who are philosophically antithetical towards science (a growing number on the political left joining the traditional ranks on the political right) – while having little appreciation or understanding of science – are exhibiting the same intellectual imbalance you’ve related in this fine post.

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        • And Robert, what I found to be a pleasant epiphany (if I may borrow that full term here – LOL) is that E=mc2 used SCIENCE and a proven lab test/experiment to show the oft interrelation between substances in Nature (radiation) and human cognition to AT LEAST show the frailty of stubbornly or “faithfully” clinging to Monism like an osterich head in the sand. 🤭

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          • Apropos. And, as I’ve discovered recently, that faithful and stubborn monism has now eclipsed the boundaries of religious theism and infiltrated more liberal and more secular minds as well. It’s truly a perplexing social phenomenon.

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            • Indeed. And btw, when I can find some damn free-time — more than just 10-15 mins here or there — I will/want to hop over to your blog and read your America will not climb out of the anti-science hole it is jumping into … post. Apologies I’m so busy. :/

              Liked by 1 person

  3. Apparently, roughly 10% of humans still believe that the Earth is larger than the Sun. Do they believe this because they haven’t been properly educated? Possibly. Do they believe this because they’re stupid? Probably not.

    In fact, the most likely explanation is that the individuals concerned just haven’t thought that much about it.

    Much like those people who try to tell me Eric Clapton is the greatest guitarist in the world …. ever!!!!

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    • Btw Ark, apologies about the UEFA Champions League Final. I knew that when Mohamed Salah went down and out the Reds would really have a mountain to climb for most of the remainder of the game. Nevertheless, your boys showed WELL… ahh, except for Karius! 🙂

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        • LMAO!!!! 🤣

          I’m not laughing at your Reds Ark, I’m laughing WITH you and your soon to be gone 4 strands of hair. 🤭 Hey, look at it this way… I don’t have ANY teams to call my own really — except for my Canaries of Brasil this upcoming June 17 vs. Switzerland — for quiet sometime. Arsenal isn’t going to return to the elites next season I’m sure. FC Barca might have the same issues as the Gunners. And my own USMNT(?), well they beat Boliva 3 – 0. Whoopie. 😒 And my MLS FC Dallas is alright, but likely not strong enough to when the league this year — and never forget what league (in the world) they play in. Hahahaha. So Ark, it could be much worse for you, eh?

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          • In truth I was more concerned over Salah’s injury.
            And also have been praying since the injury that Ramos’ frakking plonker falls off.
            I mean the bar steward has received 24 red cards and they still didn’t award a foul! Wtf-
            Furthermore, after Bale scored that amazing overhead goal we had a damn power failure. We phoned immediatement but the lady at the other end of the line said it was routine maintenance!
            On a frigging Saturday night! Ldy are you f*****g kidding me?
            So I asked her since when did jo’burg council employ a night shift recruited freelance from the local mental health clinic, to which she replied, ”Ah beg yours?”
            I replaced the receiver, said . Oh dear … or something like that then went to bed … and sulked.
            I was awoken at 2:30 am when the bedroom lights came back on and the clock radio began playing some farking Bryan Adams song.
            Was not a happy chappie.

            Oh well … World Cup in a month and England are bound to win that right?

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            • HAH! Agree with you 100% on Ramos. I’ve never liked him exactly for his harsh tackling habits, hence the red-cards you mention. 😡 That said, I think in most all multi-billion dollar sports, particularly in playoffs, you do see some favoritism given to the world-class elite players. Why? The sport, game, and fans PAY to see those players playing. I’m SURE referees/umpires receive “hints” from the League to let them play… for the purpose of higher revenues at the expense of true fair play. 😕

              A flippin’ power-outage!!!? Oh man, Ark… you must not be living right. Are you roasting and eating Xian babies again!? 😛

              Hahaha, the 3 Lions will advance out of Group G Ark! You should be very happy! I like their chances even into the Quarters vs. either Colombia or Poland/Japan(?).

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    • Hahahaha! Are you super happy Luda? 😄 Apologies for my vanishing. It’s just been hectic for me this last month and I suspect it will continue into July. THEN too the FIFA World Cup 2018 starts June 14th and goes until July 15th… so if I’m brutally honest Luda, you may not see me around until my Love, my Canaries of Brazil WIN the Jules Rimet trophy!!! 🎉🏆🇧🇷

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  5. Within our own lives we are trained in our culture to fight or to hide our deficient attributes, and in some circles you are compelled to abandon the old self and live anew. I like the idea of embracing my foibles while learning a better way and incorporating all I’ve learned to be a better me, while not abandoning who I am. Make sense?

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