Wilhelm von Humboldt (1767–1835) was a German philosopher, linguist, government functionary, and founder of the Humboldt University of Berlin. He is known for his significant contributions to the fields of linguistics, philosophy of education, and political theory. In linguistics, Humboldt is recognized for his ideas on the nature of language and its relationship to thought and culture.
Étienne-Gabriel Morelly (also spelled Morelly) was an 18th-century French philosopher and writer, known primarily for his work in social and political philosophy. He is often associated with early socialist thought and is best known for his book "Code de la nature" (Code of Nature), published in 1755.
Delusional disorders, also known as persistent delusional disorder or paraphrenia, are a type of serious mental illness characterized by the presence of one or more delusions that persist for at least one month. A delusion is a firmly held belief that is not based in reality and is resistant to rational argument or confrontation with evidence to the contrary.
Superstitions are beliefs or practices that are based on the idea that certain actions, events, or objects can bring good or bad luck. These beliefs are often rooted in folklore, cultural traditions, or religious rituals and are not supported by scientific evidence. Superstitions can vary widely across different cultures and may involve specific rituals, the avoidance of certain actions or objects, or the belief in omens.
Alief is a term used in philosophy and cognitive science to describe a type of mental state that is distinct from beliefs and desires. It refers to an automatic, often unconscious response to situations that can conflict with a person's explicitly held beliefs. Alief can be thought of as an instinctive or behavioral response that influences how a person reacts to certain stimuli, regardless of their conscious beliefs.
The Belief-Desire-Intention (BDI) model is a framework used in artificial intelligence and cognitive science to model human and agent behavior. It is based on the idea that the way individuals make decisions and act can be understood through three core mental components: 1. **Beliefs**: These represent the information that an agent has about the world. Beliefs can include facts about the environment, the agent’s current state, and knowledge of other agents or entities.
Consensus reality refers to the set of beliefs, perceptions, and understandings that a group of individuals agree upon, which helps to create a shared sense of existence and social norms. It is the reality that most people in a given society or community accept as true, often based on common experiences, cultural background, and societal norms. This concept is particularly significant in psychology, sociology, and philosophy because it highlights how subjective experiences and collective agreement shape what is considered "real" or "true.
Contemporary cynicism often refers to a skeptical or distrustful attitude towards social institutions, political systems, and broader societal norms. Unlike classical cynicism, which originated with the ancient Greek philosophical school founded by Diogenes of Sinope, contemporary cynicism is not necessarily rooted in philosophical principles but instead reflects a reaction to modern disillusionment.
Denial is a psychological defense mechanism characterized by a refusal to accept reality or facts. It involves rejecting or dismissing the existence of uncomfortable, painful, or troubling thoughts, feelings, or situations. Denial can manifest in various ways, such as: 1. **Individual Level**: A person may deny a medical diagnosis, indicating they refuse to acknowledge a serious health issue.
Eschatological verification is a concept primarily discussed in the context of philosophy of religion and theology. It refers to the idea that certain religious claims can only be verified or confirmed at the end of time or in a final state of existence, often associated with ultimate truths about God, existence, and the afterlife. The term is particularly associated with discussions surrounding religious language and the verification principle, which was prominent in the 20th-century philosophical movement known as logical positivism.
Folk belief refers to the collective set of ideas, practices, and traditions that are shared within a specific cultural or social group. These beliefs are often rooted in the group's historical experiences, customs, and societal values, and they can encompass a wide range of topics, including explanations for natural phenomena, health practices, supernatural entities, and moral lessons. Folk beliefs often differ from formal or scientific understandings and may involve elements of spirituality, superstition, and mythology.
Public opinion refers to the collective attitudes, beliefs, and judgments of individuals on a specific topic, issue, or set of issues. It represents what a significant portion of the population thinks or feels about certain subjects, such as politics, social issues, economy, and policies. Public opinion can influence decision-making in governmental and organizational contexts, as leaders and policymakers often consider the views of the public when making choices that affect society.
The World Values Survey (WVS) is a global research project that explores people's values and beliefs, how they change over time, and their impact on social and political life. Established in 1981, the WVS conducts comprehensive surveys in a wide range of countries, asking respondents about their values related to various aspects of life, including religion, politics, economics, gender roles, and social norms.
"Speaking truth to power" is a phrase that refers to the act of confronting authority figures or institutions with honest and often critical views, especially when those in power may be acting unjustly or dishonestly. It signifies standing up against the dominant narratives, policies, or practices of those in positions of authority, and advocating for transparency, accountability, and justice. This concept is often associated with activism, social change, and efforts to address inequalities or abuses of power.
"The truth will set you free" is a phrase often used to express the idea that understanding and accepting the truth about a situation, oneself, or the world can lead to liberation and a sense of empowerment. The phrase highlights the belief that facing reality, no matter how difficult or uncomfortable it may be, ultimately brings clarity, peace, and the opportunity for growth.
Klein's Encyclopedia of Mathematical Sciences, often referred to simply as Klein's Encyclopedia, is a comprehensive reference work in the field of mathematics and its applications. It was edited by Felix Klein, a prominent mathematician from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and was first published in 1908. The encyclopedia is known for its extensive coverage of various branches of mathematics, including algebra, geometry, analysis, and applied mathematics.
The Garden of Cosmic Speculation is a unique and influential landscape garden located near Dumfries, Scotland. Designed by architect and theorist Charles Jencks, it spans over 30 acres and blends natural landscapes with intricate geometrical designs and structures that reflect various scientific and philosophical concepts. Established in 1989, the garden features a variety of features that represent ideas from mathematics, physics, and cosmology, such as spirals, fractals, and the Big Bang.
"How Data Happened" is a book by journalist and author Chris Wiggins and data scientist Matthew Jones. It explores the history of data, how it has evolved over time, and its impact on society. The authors discuss the technological, social, and political factors that have shaped the ways in which data is collected, analyzed, and understood. They also delve into the implications of data in various fields, examining how it influences decision-making and drives innovation.
"The Mathematical Experience" is a book co-authored by Philip J. Davis and Reuben Hersh, first published in 1981. The work explores the nature and philosophy of mathematics, emphasizing the human and experiential aspects of mathematical thinking rather than focusing solely on technical details or formalism. The book is notable for its engaging and accessible writing style, aiming to appeal to both mathematical professionals and a broader audience.
"Abstract and Applied Analysis" typically refers to a scientific journal that publishes research papers in the fields of mathematics. Specifically, it encompasses both theoretical (abstract) and practical (applied) aspects of analysis, which is a branch of mathematics dealing with limits, continuity, integrals, derivatives, and infinite series. ### Abstract Analysis: - This part involves the theoretical foundations of analysis, exploring fundamental concepts, structures, and results that underpin the discipline.
Pinned article: Introduction to the OurBigBook Project
Welcome to the OurBigBook Project! Our goal is to create the perfect publishing platform for STEM subjects, and get university-level students to write the best free STEM tutorials ever.
Everyone is welcome to create an account and play with the site: ourbigbook.com/go/register. We belive that students themselves can write amazing tutorials, but teachers are welcome too. You can write about anything you want, it doesn't have to be STEM or even educational. Silly test content is very welcome and you won't be penalized in any way. Just keep it legal!
Intro to OurBigBook
. Source. We have two killer features:
- topics: topics group articles by different users with the same title, e.g. here is the topic for the "Fundamental Theorem of Calculus" ourbigbook.com/go/topic/fundamental-theorem-of-calculusArticles of different users are sorted by upvote within each article page. This feature is a bit like:
- a Wikipedia where each user can have their own version of each article
- a Q&A website like Stack Overflow, where multiple people can give their views on a given topic, and the best ones are sorted by upvote. Except you don't need to wait for someone to ask first, and any topic goes, no matter how narrow or broad
This feature makes it possible for readers to find better explanations of any topic created by other writers. And it allows writers to create an explanation in a place that readers might actually find it.Figure 1. Screenshot of the "Derivative" topic page. View it live at: ourbigbook.com/go/topic/derivativeVideo 2. OurBigBook Web topics demo. Source. - local editing: you can store all your personal knowledge base content locally in a plaintext markup format that can be edited locally and published either:This way you can be sure that even if OurBigBook.com were to go down one day (which we have no plans to do as it is quite cheap to host!), your content will still be perfectly readable as a static site.
- to OurBigBook.com to get awesome multi-user features like topics and likes
- as HTML files to a static website, which you can host yourself for free on many external providers like GitHub Pages, and remain in full control
Figure 3. Visual Studio Code extension installation.Figure 4. Visual Studio Code extension tree navigation.Figure 5. Web editor. You can also edit articles on the Web editor without installing anything locally.Video 3. Edit locally and publish demo. Source. This shows editing OurBigBook Markup and publishing it using the Visual Studio Code extension.Video 4. OurBigBook Visual Studio Code extension editing and navigation demo. Source. - Infinitely deep tables of contents:
All our software is open source and hosted at: github.com/ourbigbook/ourbigbook
Further documentation can be found at: docs.ourbigbook.com
Feel free to reach our to us for any help or suggestions: docs.ourbigbook.com/#contact





