LART 60l The Empirical Eye 

Symbol Systems and the Search for Order 

Fall 2008 

Dave Rankin

 OBJECTIVES

1.  To know how languages, writing systems, and number systems influence our

     interpretation of reality.

2.  To know how language structure and measurement affect scientific methods and 

     aesthetic values.

3.  To understand how order and chaos are beginning to conflict in Western

     Civilization’s changing world view.

4.  To explore, through individual research and writing, the search for order and   

     knowledge in a discipline of the student’s own choosing.

ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING

1.  A “position” paper(l,000 to l,500 words), an essay in which the student explains

     his current beliefs about how a specific body of knowledge is acquired(l5%).

2.  Critical review of a book, presented informally to the seminar(l0%) and as a

     formal paper(l5%).

3.  A “re-positioning” paper that uses our readings and discussions to sharpen assignment

     #l by introducing changes, additions, and problems(l5%).

4.  Original research on a question or problem about man’s perception and understanding

     of X in the real world.  X will be chosen by the student in consultation with the

     instructor.  The project includes a written proposal(5%), an informal oral presentation

     to the seminar(l0%), and a formal paper of 2,000 to 3,000 words(20%).

5.  Seminar participation(10%) that reflects thorough reading and thoughtful responses.

REQUIRED TEXTS

l.  Descartes, Rene.  Discourse on Method.

2.  Crosby, Alfred.  The Measure of Reality.

3.  Mlodinow, Leonard.  The Drunkard’s Walk.

4.  Frayn, Michael.  The Human Touch.

5.  Shattuck, Roger.  Forbidden Knowledge.

6.  Wilson, Edward.  Consilience..

LIBRARY RESERVE READINGS

1.  Lucretius. On Nature(on the real world, atomic theory, and the heavenly bodies).

2.  Bacon, Francis.  The New Organon(on induction, language, and fallacies).

3.  Lakoff and Johnson.  Metaphors We Live By(on the myth of objectivism in Western   

     Civilization).

4.  Dantzig, Tobias.  Number:  the Language of Science(on number systems, the

     senses, and the implications for science).

5.  Chomsky, Noam.  Language and Problems of Knowledge(triggering).

6.  Kuhn, Thomas.  The Structure of Scientific Revolutions(on changing paradigms).

7.  Ekeland, Ivar.  Mathematics and the Unexpected(on the inability of equations to

     describe the real world).

8.  Bohm, David.  Wholeness and the Implicate Order(on language and man’s

     fragmentation of the real world).

9.  Boyle, David.  The Sum of Our Discontent(on damage by numbers).

Calendar

 Aug. 26  Introduction to course.

              Lecture:  Structure of Indo European languages.

              Discussion of “position” papers and projects.

 Sept. 2   Lucretius, On Nature, Book V(life, astronomy, atomic theory).

              Bacon, Francis. The New Organon, aphorisms 1-120(scientific method,

              induction, language, and fallacies).

              Lecture:  Linear vs. holistic ways of knowing.

          9   Descartes, Rene.  Discourse on Method, all.

              Bohm, David.  Wholeness and the Implicate Order, pp. 1-26(fragmentation).

              Lecture:  Linguistic relativity, theory and fact.

           16  Lakoff and Johnson.  Metaphors We Live By,  pp. 195-222,

              Selection due for critical book review.

              “Position” paper due(15%).

         23  Chomsky, Noam. Language and Problems of Knowledge, pp. 147-173.

              Dantzig, Tobias.  Number: the Language of Science, pp. 1-35.

              Kuhn, Thomas.  The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, chapters 1, 5, 6, 8, 12.

              Lecture: Language, logic, and mathematics.

         30  Crosby, Alfred.  The Measure of Reality, Part I.

              Written proposal due for research projects(10%), conferences to follow.

  Oct.  7  Crosby, Parts II and III.

Boyle, David.  The Sum of Our Discontent, pp. 29-46.

              Begin oral presentations of critical book reviews(10%).

              Dave’s “almost-world-famous” cheesecake.

       14  Oral presentations continue.

       21  Mlodinow, Leonard. The Drunkard’s Walk.

              Ekeland, Ivar.  Mathematics and the Unexpected, pp. 48-69.

        28  Frayn, Michael. The Human Touch(pp. 3-172).

 Nov.  4  Election Day.  No classes.  Winthrop closed.

 11   Frayn, The Human Touch(pp. 273-368).

              Written critical reviews due(15%).

         18  Shattuck, Roger. Forbidden Knowledge(first half).

              Lecture:  Language and aesthetics(literature, music, art).

         25  Wilson, Edward.  Consilience(first half).

               Begin oral presentations on research projects(15%).

              “Re-positioning” papers due(15%).

  Dec.  2   Consilience(second half).

              Oral presentations continue.

              Dinner and class meeting at Dave’s.

           9  Presentations continue.

              Major papers due(20%).

Dave Rankin

Offices: 150 Bancroft and 9-A Bancroft

Office phones:  MLA(323-2368), Dave direct, (323-4572)voicemail

Home phone: 704-372-1237

Email: rankind@winthrop.edu

Office hours: 4:30-6:30 and after class on Tuesdays

                       Other times by appointment.