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Trigger warnings:
Trigger warnings:
I will ask questions, and may not have all the answers
Trigger warnings:
I will ask questions, and may not have all the answers
I seek to slay some software career sacred cows
Trigger warnings:
I will ask questions, and may not have all the answers
I seek to slay some software career sacred cows
I will probably go a little into the break
Trigger warnings:
I will ask questions, and may not have all the answers
I seek to slay some software career sacred cows
I will probably go a little into the break
I may say the word "fuck" a few times
Trigger warnings:
I will ask questions, and may not have all the answers
I seek to slay some software career sacred cows
I will probably go a little into the break
I may say the word "fuck" a few times
React as you deem appropriate
What is philosophy?
"love of wisdom" (Ancient Greek)
the fundamental root of all thinking
the basis of all science
"science in one hand, and religion in the other"
the central question that philosophy seeks to answer
Ironically, most of us are (already) philosophers
what should we do?
what is there?
how do we know? if we don't know, how should we set about finding out?
Major branches of philosophy
Metaphysics
examining what exists, the difference between mind and matter, and so on
Epistemology
how do we know a thing? how do we acquire knowledge? what is the nature of knowledge?
Logic
Aristotelian syllogisms up through mathematical and symbolic logic
Moral philosophy and ethics
what is right? what is evil? what is virtue? what does it mean to live a good life?
Political philosophy
what are the "unassailable human rights"? what is the relationship between government and the governed?
Aesthetics
what is beauty? what is art?
Roger Scruton ("A Short History of Philosophy")
two distinguishing characteristics of philosophical thought
abstraction
concern for truth
"Problems of philosophy and the systems of design to solve them are populated in terms which tend to refer not to the realm of actuality, but to the realms of possibility and necessity: to what might be and what must be, rather than what is"
Philosophy is characterized by several things
students are encouraged not to accept the conclusions of their teachers, but to discuss, argue and disbelieve
arguments are rooted in logic and reason, not faith or belief
Most science begins as philosophy
"It has often been remarked that when an area of inquiry begins to find its feet as a discipline, with clearly agreed methods and a clearly agreed body of knowledge, fairly soon it separates off from what has up to then been known as philosophy and goes its own way."
such as....
physics
chemistry
astronomy
psychology
some continue to maintain tight relationships
Psychology is...
"the scientific study of the human mind and its functions, especially those affecting behavior in a given context"
"the mental characteristics or attitude of a person or group"
Five main perspectives
Biological
the relationship of the body and the mind
Learning
long-lasting change in the way a person/animal behaves that is attributable experience
Cognitive
study of memory, perception, thought and other mental processes
Sociocultural
how social environment and cultural beliefs shape our lives
Psychodynamic
study of unconscious motives and desires
Greek; happiness, welfare, "human flourishing"
eu: "good" (agathos)
daimon: denotes divine or semi-divine
Essentially, the Greek ideal of 'the good life'
central concept to Greek/Roman philosophy
arete: "virtue", "excellence"
phronesis: "practical or ethical wisdom"
Epicurus held that pleasure is the only intrinsic good and that pain is the only intrinsic bad- "Epicurus identifies the eudaimon life with the life of pleasure. He understands eudaimonia as a more or less continuous experience of pleasure, and also, freedom from pain and distress. But it is important to notice that Epicurus does not advocate that one pursue any and every pleasure. Rather, he recommends a policy whereby pleasures are maximized "in the long run"."
Socrates' centers around virtues (in the ancient-Greek sense)
specifically, that virtue was both necessary and sufficient for eudaimonia
"virtues such as self-control, courage, justice, piety, wisdom and related qualities of mind and soul are absolutely crucial if a person is to lead a good and happy (eudaimon) life. Virtues guarantee a happy life -- eudaimonia."
Plato's centers around the virtue of justice
"Plato argues that virtues are states of the soul, and that the just person is someone whose soul is ordered and harmonious, with all its parts functioning properly to the person’s benefit. In contrast, Plato argues that the unjust man’s soul, without the virtues, is chaotic and at war with itself, so that even if he were able to satisfy most of his desires, his lack of inner harmony and unity thwart any chance he has of achieving eudaimonia."
Aristotle believed it exhibited virtue in accordance with reason
"Basically, well being (eudaimonia) is gained by proper development of one's highest and most human capabilities and human beings are "the rational animal". It follows that eudaimonia for a human being is the attainment of excellence in reason. ... Eudaimonia requires not only good character but rational activity. Aristotle clearly maintains that to live in accordance with reason means achieving excellence thereby."
passion (noun)
ˈpaʃ(ə)n'
strong and barely controllable emotion
"a man of impetuous passion"
the suffering and death of Jesus
"meditations on the Passion of Christ"
synonyms: crucifixion, pain, suffering, agony, martyrdom
(via Google)
Other defintions (from Dictionary.com):
any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling, as love or hate.
strong amorous feeling or desire; love; ardor.
strong sexual desire; lust.
an instance or experience of strong love or sexual desire.
a person toward whom one feels strong love or sexual desire.
a strong or extravagant fondness, enthusiasm, or desire for anything: a passion for music.
Other defintions (from Dictionary.com):
the object of such a fondness or desire: Accuracy became a passion with him
an outburst of strong emotion or feeling: He suddenly broke into a passion of bitter words
violent anger
the state of being acted upon or affected by something external, especially something alien to one's nature or one's customary behavior (contrasted with action)
We seem to have co-opted the term somehow
"Cloud Developer Advocate at XXXX"
"Skills desired: ... Passion for helping developers connect people and communities through the cloud"
"Graduate Developer for XXXX"
"An innovative business solutions software house are looking for a passionate Technical Graduate...."
"React Native Developer - XXXX"
"looking for Developers with the following experience: ... Enormous passion for Mobile Development..."
Passion is NOT a desirable character trait
passion fades over time
Passion is NOT a desirable character trait
passion fades over time
passion does not compromise
Passion is NOT a desirable character trait
passion fades over time
passion does not compromise
passion is focused on itself, not the job
Passion is NOT a desirable character trait
passion fades over time
passion does not compromise
passion is focused on itself, not the job
passion is emotion; emotion is not rational
Why do you want this for yourself and your colleagues, again?
Who is this guy?
Architect, Engineering Manager/Leader, "force multiplier"
Principal -- Neward & Associates
http://www.newardassociates.com
Educative (http://educative.io) Author
Performance Management for Engineering Managers
Author
Professional F# 2.0 (w/Erickson, et al; Wrox, 2010)
Effective Enterprise Java (Addison-Wesley, 2004)
SSCLI Essentials (w/Stutz, et al; OReilly, 2003)
Server-Based Java Programming (Manning, 2000)