Embedded Files
Analogies, Allegories,
Models of What?
Models of What?
Society - Explaining situations using theories (philosophical, etc.)
Life - Coming up with a reasonable descriptor for certain behaviours, and if/how something may dictate future actions
Comparisons:
To give an example
To evoke a certain feeling/emotion
To elaborate on ideas/arguments
The Panopticon
The Panopticon
What is it?
Designed architectural building
Circular, multiple stories with individual rooms - all pointing towards a single tower in the middle
Central Tower is taller than everything else, far enough away so people in the rooms can't see up into the tower
People in the tower can see into every room
Panopticism
Internalised "watching"
People will control/surveillance themselves because they're afraid of a higher power watching
Eg. prisoners in the rooms (panopticon) - They know the guard can see them at all times, they just don't know when.
To avoid punishment, the prisoners will refrain from doing anything bad - under the assumption that they may be caught/are being watched
Applications:
State surveillance
Fear of being watched by a higher power (eg. the state) results in self-governance
Deters crime - similar to the idea that "Santa's always watching"
Afraid to do bad/commit crimes because there's a chance someone is witnessing them do it (even if it's realistically unlikely)
Allows for minimal state involvement to keep people "on their toes"/behaving
Free Speech
Self-correction of language
Fearing future consequences leads to self-censoring, changing opinions to fit society's norm - trying not to stand out/look bad
1984
Religion
Higher power (God(s), etc.) looking over them
Every choice/decision is being checked/approved by an omnipotent being
Therefore, religion has a massive influence over someone's life
Confining to certain rules, following said higher power
Makes leaving religion extremely difficult
Plato's Allegory of the Cave
Plato's Allegory of the Cave
What is it?
Imagine:
A group of people sitting against a brick wall, inside a cave. The cave opens up towards the light, and has a walkable passage behind
The people have been in the cave from infancy to adulthood. They have always been there, and cannot leave.
The people are bound, by chains, to the wall behind them. They cannot move, and can only stare directly in front of them (can't even see each other/themselves)
Behind the wall, there's a fire acting as a light source. Others from outside can cast shadows above the wall, onto the side of the cave (As seen in the photos)
The people chained in front can see the shadows
What does this mean?
The cave people have only ever seen shadows
Their reality is built on others coming in, moving objects to create images, and then leaving - everything they see on the cave wall is taken as "true reality"
They know nothing about the world around them - their whole perception of reality comes from the shadows
Plato argued: Their reality is made from Shadows. They will assign words and meanings to the pictures they see, without knowing the true/real thing casting those shadows in the first place
The information they have is extremely limited
No way to find out the truth if you're under the assumption that there is no problem
Applying this to our reality:
We (humans) have limits as to what we can perceive and understand
Understand, and take what we're taught to be true without seeing the real sources - We are the prisoners, our reality is manipulated by people with more power/influence, culture/traditions, teachings, media, etc.
For a more articulated analysis: TED-Ed's explanation
The Veil of Ignorance
The Veil of Ignorance
What is it?
Thought experiment used to explain unbiased decision-making and just sentencing
Imagine:
You are asked to select basic principles of life before you're born - what should be valued, how society is built, etc
You are unaware of your role in that society after you're born
You do not know your gender, race/ethnicity, social status, and have no idea how to lead a "good life"
Explanation:
Forces people to look from a principle/philosophical point of view
Makes people come up with the most just point of view - knowing they could be disadvantaged, everyone's incentive is to ensure they will live a good life. Therefore, people will create the best and most fair society.
People can objectively decide how society should function in order to make as many people satisfied as possible
Application:
Use to explain making unbiased decisions - where bias comes from, and how to limit it
When is life the most fair, and how can we build society around that principle
Forcing social cooperation
Understanding vulnerable groups/stakeholders, making decisions that impact them
The Prisoner's Dilemma
The Prisoner's Dilemma
What is it?
"Game" that models real-world thinking and strategic behaviour
Imagine:
2 prisoners, sentenced to 1 year of prison, are called down to the guard's office for an interview. They're given a choice to either cooperate with each other (stay silent) or betray one another (tell the guard everything).
If:
They both choose cooperate
Their sentences of 1 year remain the same
One chooses cooperate, the other chooses betray
Whoever betrays has their sentence lifted, while the other ends with 3 years
They both choose betray
They both end with a sentence of 2 years
What the flip! This sounds like my favourite game show challenge Split or Steal!
Explanation:
When choosing between options that are high risk high reward, people are more likely to choose the one that best protects themselves
Choosing "cooperate" sets you up for either 1 year or 3 years. Choosing "betray" gets you either 0 or 2, but the risk factor is higher
People would rather choose "betray", to make sure their opponent will face some punishment as well (better for themselves)
If you choose "betray", your opponent is guaranteed to get 2-3 years
However:
If your opponent is aware of this: They will choose "betray" to equalize the punishment, so you're also guaranteed higher jail time
Application:
IR theory of security - Do the worst because you expect someone to do bad to you, acting as a way of protection
Seeing another country build their military, and start funding yours as a result (fear for what that other country may be planning)
Making strategical choices
Either scenario is bad because you cannot know for certain what someone is thinking - there is no best way to get around making these types of decisions
Bargaining in the marketplace
Explains why people may be inclined to choose a "worse-off" option
Why people turn to risky situations, knowing it will end bad for them
Other Thought Experiments:
Other Thought Experiments:
The Chinese Room
The Chinese Room
You can't speak Chinese. You are locked in a room with a dictionary, capable of translating any English text to Chinese. Outside your door, there is a native Chinese speaker. He slips a sheet of paper under your door, written in Chinese. This paper contains questions, instructions, etc. You first translate the letter into English, then write and translate a response to return to him. To the Chinese guy outside your door, you can speak and understand his language perfectly. However, you have no idea what's going on - you are simply following instructions to translate a text.
Applications: AI, computers - To you, it seems like AI understands and speaks your language. In reality, it's just translating words and following instructions. No real comprehension exists.
The Experience Machine
The Experience Machine
There exists a machine that can create a simulation of any experience you'd ever want. If you choose to go through the machine, you can live through your desired, happy/pleasurable experience as if it's happening in real life.
Obviously, this is not real life. Would you take this opportunity, and "plug in" to the machine?
Applications: Deciding between real and/or fake, explaining why people choose to do things purely for the sake of doing, defining the meaning of happiness and experience as a whole. If an experience makes you happy, does the fact that it's fake change anything?
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