41–42 of 42 posts
I guess the question really is "if the universe operated according to classical principles, would there be objective probabilities?" And that is an interesting question, but it's a hypothetical alternate-universe one.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Some of the most pressing problems in society don't have answers that fit into the mindset of the more mathematically-minded among us. They are problems nonetheless, for example: should free speech exist? You can't answer that question using science, yet we need people to think about that kind of thing. For what it's worth, the reputation of All Souls College (which does not have students ) is strongest in the humani…
Saying the exam wasn't "hard" as such wasn't intended to slight All Souls College or the humanities. It seems like what makes a question part of the humanities is that many if not most humans have some sort of answer to the question. For that reason, I imagine the humanities might be better served not conjuring up images of super-hard exams only a few can pass.
I presume that it is hoped that those who enter All Souls will make original and long-lasting contributions to their field of endeavor.
In the natural sciences, a similar effort is supported by the Howard Hughes Foundation at Janelia Farms, as described here: http://www.nature.com/news/research-at-janelia-life-on-the-f...