§135 Introduction: The Grand Synthesis of Philosophy

Bin Li

§135 Introduction: The Grand Synthesis of Philosophy

The Algorithmic Philosophy: A Synthetic and Social Philosophy1 Part II §135 Introduction: The Grand Synthesis of Philosophy In the previous part, I first introduced Algorithmic Theory as a theory of mind, and then explained how Algorithmic Theory can be used to revamp each philosophical branch and integrate them together. To put it simply, through introduction of spatio-temporal elements and the thinking economy, Algorithmic logic is generated, which can be used to connect various logical systems into one logical system that, further, can be regarded as equivalent to the Instruction system operating according to the principles of economics, and then can be regarded as the logical mechanism for generating psychological systems. Such a “human mind” coexists and “interacts” with physical objects as a reality or entity, and the interactions between different human minds and between different entities create the phenomenal world that we “see” in front of us. In particular, the knowledge system, and thus the social world, is constantly and infinitely evolving. Since a human mind can objectify itself and other minds in a discrete, serial way, higher-order thinking activities, lower-order thinking activities, and other activities coexist and intertwine with each other as ontological contents. Algorithmic Theory acknowledges the necessity of metaphysical propositions as hypotheses, but suggests that the metaphysical contents should be condensed, minimized, and versioned, that is, metaphysics should accommodate its finitude of argumentation and the consciousness of its own fitful renewals. In the Algorithmic framework, a method is firstly part of the ontology as an Algorithm of actors, and secondly, methodology is used to explore how the work of intellectuals is technically different from that of ordinary actors, so as to produce the advantageous knowledge that is temporarily unique and helpful to actors. Social issues can reasonably originate from the “Algorithmic natures” of human thinking, and then various social existences and social phenomena, including ethics and morality, can be generated and developed, logically and “naturally”. They are interconnected, distinct, and combined with natural issues. In this part, the grand synthesis will be applied to various philosophical schools, as well as to the philosophies of various periods in history. The following discussion contains several missions at once. First, we are to examine the Algorithmic elements embedded in various philosophies until they converge historically into the Algorithmic theory. This section is not presented at the beginning of the book, as is customary for academic papers, because, given the subject matter of the book, it is more appropriate to include it in this part. Second, it evaluates the successes and failures of various existing philosophies from the Algorithmic perspective, and shows how they can be critically incorporated into the unified Algorithmic system. Thirdly, the Algorithmic principles and philosophy are further explained in combination with specific topics. The “philosophy” mentioned here is actually mainly the continuation and development of Greek philosophy. The ancient Greek philosophy basically unfolded all the issues of this discipline called “Western philosophy”, but at its core was rationalism. Parmenides’ few words laid down its basic style, the separation of “being” from the rest of the world. Later philosophers interpreted it from different angles. Plato and Aristotle focused on the deductive and inductive methods, as well as the theoretical and empirical approaches, respectively. In the Middle Ages, God took the place of “being”. In modern times, with the rise of epistemology, this place has been reoccupied by science. Epistemological philosophy means that what was thought to exist somewhere in the external world is actually an idea in the human brain, so that the question of “what is being” is transformed into the question of whether Bin Li, a visiting scholar of Center for Urban & Regional Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, used to be an independent scholar and a columnist in Shanghai, China. Websites: https://unc.academia.edu/BinLi https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Bin-Li-121 Emails: [email protected] [email protected] 1 subjectivity and objectivity are compatible. Kant was a big turning point. Kant’s philosophy made the structure of “innate thinking tools + sensory materials” come out, which preluded the basic style of Algorithmic Thinking Theory and Algorithmic philosophy. A group of scholars, including Hegel, tried to dissolve it and pull it back into the orbit of traditional philosophy, but it irreversibly flourished. It can be argued that the history of philosophy after Hegel has been a comprehensive preparation for the Algorithmic Theory, either by developing logic and analytic philosophy to directly serve the generation of computers and their applications, or by emphasizing the philosophical arguments that will become the inferences of Algorithmic Theory. The latter refers in particular to the work of schools of irrationalism, pragmatism, hermeneutics, phenomenology, existentialism, structuralism, etc. However, all of these can only happen when the “innate thinking tools” are identified as discrete “Instructions” and the behavioral or economic elements are added on. Metacomputations operate serially and roundaboutly in a spatio-temporal environment, and hence subjective turns occur inevitably, that is, the sedimentation, distortion, and solidification of computations, coupled with the sustainable development caused by the combinatorial explosion, can not only integrate many traditionally divided or opposing theories, but also form a relatively novel and satisfactory new system. In it, all types of knowledge have their places, and they exist relative to each other. This is an extension of rationalism, or a unity of the rational and the irrational -- there is an equivalence between the two statements. In ontological terms, the Algorithmic philosophy is intended to provide a set of theories about the coexistence and interaction of ideas as relatively independent, discrete entities with other entities. Algorithmic Theory tightly sticks to the theme of philosophy. At least judging by the contents of textbook, Algorithmic Theory is closely tied to almost every page of them. It is so relevant that a review of the history of philosophy is absolutely necessary. Meanwhile, at least from my point of view, the logical relations are so overwhelming and so persuasive that we can determine its applicability without having to carefully review every detail of each philosopher’s arguments. This is by no means to say that Algorithmic Theory can replace everything, but rather that it is the catalyst and the glue that provide philosophy with some of the elements that have been lacking all along, but are extremely basic and necessary, to put the pieces together. The basicity and necessity of these elements should be generally agreed upon by the readers after fully understanding ATT. In this way, I dare to point out that we have made a comprehensive summary and conclusion of philosophy for more than 2,000 years. Of course, this is not the end of philosophy -- Algorithmic Theory has already demonstrated the sustainability and irreplaceability of philosophy itself. After establishing a proper theory of mind, philosophy is bound to begin a new phase. In view of the fact that this is only a small, outlined book, and the scope of my study is by all means limited, the discussion here cannot be thorough and full, and it mainly shows some basic ideas as the results of my hurried and cursory skimming of philosophical literature. I prefer to discuss the most basic things, even those topics that are textbook-level, common-sense, and often less noticed by others, namely, those that are commonly taken for granted and unnecessary to articulate, to find out magnificence. I believe that after clarifying these basic questions, philosophy will be greatly improved, and its significance to other disciplines and to the real world will be regained, which would also satiate myself for the time being. Therefore, those discussions of cutting-edge, advanced, or specialized topics will not be included in this part if they do not serve these purposes.

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§135 Introduction: The Grand Synthesis of Philosophy

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