Grandiose Delusions (Tempered by Realism)

I've been mulling over some philosophical concepts lately with my focus being on the role of the individual in human history. Who am I (as an individual)? How often will individuals actually be able to leave an impact on the world? What about the multitude of individuals whose passing from this world leaves not a trace in the annals of history? From these questions I have drawn some personal conclusions about dreams of grandeur and their relationship to realism.

“It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.”
― Ernest Hemingway

Mathematical Platonism (Objective Truth)

"Some philosophers have reached the startling conclusion that Truth is made by men, and that Mathematics is created by mathematicians and that Columbus created America: but common sense, it is refreshing to think, is at any rate above being flattered by philosophical persuasion..." 
― Philip E.B. Jourdain, The Nature of Mathematics

Have you ever considered the power of definition? As a mathematician I can define "x" to be an integer or "A" to be a set of numbers. These are mathematical objects which inhabit the sentient mind and come into existence only by definition. Now these objects may correlate to objects in reality like the mathematical object called a circle corresponds to the rough approximation to said circle that I can draw on paper. But these objects do not exist in any physical sense. There is no integer, set, or circle that I can discover in the physical world and study to determine it's properties. So are these mathematical objects simply a product of the sentient mind or do they have some kind of independent existence?

Space-Time (The Final Frontier)

So I've been thinking about Theoretical Physics today after watching a lecture by the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics.  Here are my philosophical musings and thoughts on the matter of space-time and a Theory of Everything.

Career (A Life's Work)

Much has influenced my decision to come back to school and pursue a doctoral degree. My particular passions require me to obtain a higher degree in order to be qualified to pursue them as a profession. However, if that were the sole reason for attending college and assimilating so much knowledge then I would be poorly motivated to succeed and do well, let alone actually enjoy the process. There has to be some driving force for what we do as individuals, or at least there ideally should be if we are to have any sort of contentment and satisfaction in life. All this is said with the understanding that not everyone is in a position which enables them to go off and pursue their dreams. I do believe that a family comes first and if there are children who depend on you, setting aside your dreams in order to provide them a better life is a noble endeavor. However, there are many who have very few actual limitations constraining their lives and it is to them that I address this challenge. Have a career, not simply a job.

Literature (Borrowed Thought)

Most people will quickly promote the importance of reading literature but this is often an impulsive response, not one based off an evaluation of the matter. Now I obviously see the importance of literature and I do enjoy finding amazing quotes that just seem to fit a situation ever so nicely. However, I believe it is important to articulate why reading quality literature is so very important, so that we have an answer for those who attack knowledge and books as useless or who are so absorbed in entertaining literature that they do not see the value of truly great writing. So lets briefly examine what it means to read. 

Time (The Inexorable Flow)

“The fact is, the Time Traveller was one of those men who are too clever to be believed: you never felt that you saw all round him; you always suspected some subtle reserve, some ingenuity in ambush, behind his lucid frankness.” 
― H.G. Wells, The Time Machine

Hello, World!

This first post revolves around aspiration. The quote above is from one of my favorite works of literature, a choice shared by my lovely wife. If I were to use the above description of the Time Traveller to describe myself not only would it be arrogant but also a gross overestimation of myself as well. Instead it is something I aspire to, I wish to be the Time Traveller in a sense. Allow me to elaborate.