Physics, Philosophy, & Logic Review

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from lecture notes on physics, philosophy, and logic.

Uncertainty Principle (Heisenberg)

You can’t fully know both where a particle is and how fast it’s going at the same time; more info about one = less info about the other

Copenhagen Interpretation

Some things just happen without a reason; not all questions have answers—reality itself might be incomplete.

Wave-Particle Duality

Tiny particles (like electrons) can act like particles and waves.

Double Slit Experiment

When electrons go through slits, they create a wave-like pattern on a wall, showing they act like both particles and waves.

Many Worlds Interpretation

Every possibility actually happens—in a different universe.

Twin Paradox

One twin goes to space near light speed and comes back younger than the one who stayed on Earth because time slows down at high speeds.

Epistemology

Study of knowledge—what we know and how we know it.

Rationalism

Some knowledge is built-in.

Empiricism

We're born knowing nothing—knowledge comes from experience.

Necessary Truths

Always true (like math).

Contingent Truths

Sometimes true, depending on the world/situation.

A Priori

Known without using senses.

A Posteriori

Known through senses.

Foundationalism

Rebuild knowledge from scratch, only using things that can’t be doubted.

Skepticism

Doubt everything to find what can’t be doubted.

Propositional Knowledge

Must meet 3 conditions: It’s true, you believe it, and you’re justified in believing it.

Internalism

Justification depends on what’s in your mind.

Externalism

Justification can depend on outside factors.

Reliabilism

A belief is justified if it came from a reliable method.

~P

Not P

P & Q

Both must be true

P ∨ Q

At least one is true (OR)

P → Q

If P, then Q

P ↔ Q

P if and only if Q

BIP

I believe P

JIP

I’m justified in P

RIP

I know P = (BIP & JIP & P)