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Richard Feynman on hungry philosophers (or do we see objects or only their light)

Zero · lecture · Watch on YouTube

Philosophy & ethicsFundamental physicsScientific method & science communication

What it is

A one-minute clip from Richard Feynman's 1979 Auckland lecture in which he answers whether you see an object or only its light. It is a short, playful take on perception and on the use of philosophy.

Why Hacker News recommends it

HN uses it to illustrate Feynman's wry view of philosophical questions and perception.

  • 2 people recommended it
  • 2 different months
  • 0 strong recommendations
  • first 2012, last 2021

What HN commenters said

  1. “I respect philosophy, but am more persuaded by Richard Feynman's perspective, when asked what he considered a philosophical question.”

    Feynman's view on what counts as a philosophical question

    spodek, 2012-01 · Recommendation · in “Philosophy - What's the use?”

  2. “A cute video of Feynman answering the question of whether you're seeing an object, or only the light from an object, when looking at it”

    Feynman on whether you see objects or only light

    thaumaturgy, 2017-11 · Recommendation · in “How do you prove that Earth is older than 10,000 years?”

Excerpts from Hacker News comments, linked to the originals. Summaries and labels were written by a language model from those comments.

Topics: feynman, light, perception, philosophy of science

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