«GAVAGAI» – the philosophical thought experiment | #filosofix

Language has its pitfalls and misunderstandings are common. But can we ever be sure that we really understand others? The “Gavagai” thought experiment explores this question. Its creator believes that successful comprehension requires goodwill.

Tought experiment: Willard Van Orman Quine
Animation: Nino Christen
Speaker: Michael Morris
Music: Martin Bezzola

SRF Kultur / SRG SSR

[nishantmishra]

This is fascinating. The animations are great and content is to the point. Impressive work.

[twylasmith]

The video sound is pretty good, beyond my imagination

[An-npyn]

With our own native languages you are able to affirm your hypothesis of what a word means through conversation. If others don't correct you in the way you use it when you speak to them, you can conclude that you have understood it correctly.

[jackdempsey]

1:22 to 1:36 is why I'm not using this video for class

[suigeneris]

This is so interesting, but i need subs in spanish to understand better

[dawnsglory]

I really enjoy filosofix, but liked the other english speaker better.

[JakeMGolle]

Yes, you can. Through deliberate conversation, centralized and standardized language and grammar, and intentional listening. This is a bad argument.