Michael Shermer's Explanation Of Patterns

It implies that polar bears are transitioning to become marine mammals, which is incorrect. They are already well adapted for their lifestyle, but if global warming continues perhaps something new will happen.

6. Nash begins to find patterns where no patterns exist. In what and/or where does he find patterns?

When a state of probability remains undetermined, we often feel compelled to define it. We desire certainty, so we obtain it through whichever way we see fit, even when it is unattainable or harmful to do so. When we imagine

What did you think of the two contrasting patterns in this chapter? Do you or someone you know fit one or the other of these patterns? Which pattern do you think is more likely to emphasize modesty over pride? Why? Which pattern do you think is likely to emphasize manners over honest self-expression? Why?

phenomenon, known as pareidolia, is the idea that humans are prone to find patterns in chaos. Similarly, as curious creatures, we strive to develop a guide in a life of uncertainty. An inherent aspect of human nature is the desire to establish a purpose for every action and a creed for existence. In addition, we remind ourselves of the flaws that we must abstain from. Such reminders are often found in religions such as Christianity and Hinduism and dystopian literature. Ursula Le

Escher combined recursion and pattern repetition in a unique way. Some of the works featuring this combination exhibits some complex mathematical and physical ideas, but to the casual viewer the works are sublime. The swans image above features this sort of combination. Note that the swans are tiled very precisely, with the same distance from adjacent swans and swans in the next row. Note also that they are in a closed loop, which is one construct made possible with recursion.

Humans are naturally curious creatures. One’s inquisitive mindset might lead to all sorts of discoveries or answers to cosmic questions. However, the world and the life one lives inside the world are not always as they seem to be at first glance. What one does know about the world is based solely on their perception of reality and one person’s perspective will differ from the next. How does one know when they look at the blue sky or the green grass that the other people around them are witnessing the same scene they are experiencing? Should the stranger on the street fear another stranger simply because they are unable to know for absolute certainty that other is not a deranged, cannibalistic murderer?

The idea that nature itself can be divided rationally into ordered systems is inherently Western in origin. That implies that a system of concepts exists to explain the world, the universe. The “structure of concepts” is called a hierarchy, and broken down even further, is a system of divisions, or distinctions (Pirsig 97). Pirsig asserts that this has been a “basic structure for all Western knowledge” ( 97).

symmetry control my life. When I was younger, I had an ingrained superstition that numbers controlled my life; I would count my position in line and multiply it by four or some other random digit to see who I should befriend in that line. I'd make sure to chew the same amount on both sides of my mouth. I was thoroughly convinced that any convoluted pattern I consciously or unconsciously made was interconnected with my future. If I did not follow through with my impulses regarding those oppressive patterns, I was positive an event of catastrophic proportions would occur. What if a meteor fell on my sister!? Better multiply that number by four again to make sure. I was trapped in my head with an abacus, and my body did the bidding of whatever numbers clicked out. The jury is still out on whether or not any adults took notice of my numbers compulsion, but do I really want to know the truth?

The need to create and construct goes far beyond what one can imagine. It is in human nature to be curious and to develop or create based on the observations of the world around us. In fact, shapes and patterns emerge in nature organically (Rudman 2007). Native Americans development of geometric shapes is still a mystery to many. Yet, by analyzing the world around us and trying to create based on observations and creativity leads into our desire to mimic nature itself. Designs and patterns on everyday life items were utilized by Native

Our mental processes often work in patterns of repeated behaviors, patterns that are formed when we behave in specific ways for extended periods of time. They differ from our instinctual behaviors in that they are “learned” behaviors, or ones that we develop as we change and grow as human beings.

Furthermore, there are three main aspects which were customarily associated with a science: metaphysical, theoretical and methodological assumptions. Under metaphysical it is believed that to gain scientific status requires the certainty that the subject matter i.e. human thought/ behaviour, is similar to that of other accepted sciences. This could then be true for Psychology, as particularly since Darwin’s suggestion of a continuity between behaviours of humans and other species, behaviour has become more scrutinised. However, this must be assumed in respect of determinism, suggesting predictions could be made. ‘Heisenbergs uncertainty principle’ suggests that when relating evidence of indeterminism within the universe to human behaviour, it proves ambiguous, and with parts of the discipline believing strongly in free will it seems difficult to establish a common ground (Valentine E.R. page 2).

Flipping a coin is a simple action seen or done by most people. But if one flipped a coin one hundred times what results would they yield? An accurate prediction of that outcome is nearly guaranteed by The Law of Large Numbers. The Law of Large Numbers is “A law expressing the fact that if a trial in which all outcomes are independent of each other and equally likely is repeated, then the relative frequency of each outcome approximates its probability with increasing accuracy as the number of repetitions becomes sufficiently large” (Law of Large Numbers). This law has applications in a myriad of fields, such as engineering, biology, and finance (Sedor, 2013).

The innate human desire to understand the world is organized into careful ways of colleting, analyzing, and sharing the

Through the pursuit of a greater understanding of the known universe, our forefathers encountered patterns and anomalies which, through their extensive study, they were able to further their understanding of the universe which so intrigued them. Patterns are a reliable sample of traits, tendencies, or other observable characteristics of a person, group or institution. They are a combination of qualities, acts or tendencies that form a consistent or characteristic arrangement. Their counterparts, Anomalies are irregularities. They are a deviation from the common rule, type, arrangement or form. In other words, they are deviations from what is considered to be the norm, socially or scientifically. Patterns and anomalies have occurred within several instances in history. Dating back to the study of the heliocentric (the earth is round) nature of our planet by the famous Italian mathematician, physicist, philosopher and astronomer Galileo, man has always had a deep interest in the pursuit of knowledge to further our understanding of the natural world. And even as far back as the 17th century, patterns and anomalies had begun to arise and would later shape the way knowledge is gathered. Within Theory of Knowledge, patterns and anomalies have also occurred in the pursuit of knowledge. But first, what is this enigma we know to be knowledge. Knowledge can be said to be the fact or state of knowing; the perception of fact or truth; clear and certain mental apprehension. It is the