God's eye view on:
[Wikipedia]
[Google]
[Amazon]
An Archimedean point () is a hypothetical Point of view (philosophy), viewpoint from which certain objective truths can perfectly be perceived (also known as a God's-eye view) or a reliable starting point from which one may reason. In other words, a view from an Archimedean point describes the ideal of removing oneself from the Unit of observation, object of study so that one can see it in relation to all other things while remaining independent of them.
For example, the philosopher John Rawls uses the heuristic device of the original position in an attempt to remove the particular biases of individual agency (philosophy), agents to demonstrate how Rational Choice Theory, rational beings might arrive at an objective formulation of justice.
The term refers to the great mathematician Archimedes, who supposedly claimed that he could lift the Earth off its foundation if he were given a place to stand, one solid point, and a long enough lever.
The idea for the term is attributed to René Descartes, Descartes in his Meditations on First Philosophy, second ''Meditation'', who refers to Archimedes requiring only "a point that was firm and immovable," with regard to finding certainty:
The Really Hard Science
" ''Scientific American''. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
Origins
The term refers to the great mathematician Archimedes, who supposedly claimed that he could lift the Earth off its foundation if he were given a place to stand, one solid point, and a long enough lever.
The idea for the term is attributed to René Descartes, Descartes in his Meditations on First Philosophy, second ''Meditation'', who refers to Archimedes requiring only "a point that was firm and immovable," with regard to finding certainty:Archimedes, that he might transport the entire globe from the place it occupied to another, demanded only a point that was firm and immovable; so, also, I shall be entitled to entertain the highest expectations, if I am fortunate enough to discover only one thing that is certain and indubitable.
Criticism
Sceptical and anti-realist philosophers criticise the possibility of an Archimedean point, claiming it is a form of scientism. For example, according to Michael Shermer: "We can no more separate our theories and concepts from our data and percepts than we can find a true Archimedean point—a god’s-eye view—of ourselves and our world."Michael Shermer, Shermer, Michael. 1 October 2007.The Really Hard Science
" ''Scientific American''. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
See also
* Bird's-eye view * Observer effect (physics) * Objectivity (philosophy) * Objectivity (science) * The Aleph (short story)References
External links
{{wikiquote History of physics Concepts in the philosophy of science