Meine Güte, was für'n Blah!

28 Suchtreffer

2023-01-10

The Chicken and Egg Problem:
A Philosophical and Scientific Conundrum

The age-old question of which came first, the chicken or the egg, has puzzled philosophers, scientists, and laypeople for centuries. This seemingly simple question delves into profound philosophical and scientific concepts, touching on the origins of life, evolution, and causality. In this paper, we will explore the chicken and egg problem from various perspectives, examining its implications in biology, philosophy, and even popular culture.¹

The chicken and egg problem, also known as a causality dilemma, refers to a situation where it is impossible to determine which of two things came first. This dilemma is commonly stated as the question, “which came first: the chicken or the egg?” The phrase is often used metaphorically to describe scenarios of infinite regress or the difficulty of sequencing actions where each seems to depend on the other. In the context of marketplaces, it refers to the challenge of attracting both buyers and sellers, as each group is hesitant to participate without the presence of the other. This can lead to a stagnation or failure of the marketplace. To overcome this problem, marketplaces can employ strategies such as concentrating on a niche market or offering incentives to early adopters.

Historical Perspectives

The debate regarding the chicken and egg conundrum dates back to ancient times. Philosophers such as Aristotle pondered the origins of living organisms, contemplating whether life arose from pre-existing organisms or emerged spontaneously. This debate laid the groundwork for centuries of speculation and inquiry into the nature of life and its beginnings.

Biological Considerations

From a biological standpoint, the question of the chicken and egg revolves around the process of reproduction and the origin of new organisms. In the case of chickens, the dilemma can be reframed as the origin of the first chicken. Did it hatch from an egg laid by a non-chicken ancestor, or did it emerge from non-egg-laying predecessors?

Evolutionary Insights

Evolutionary biology provides a framework for understanding the chicken and egg problem. Through the process of natural selection and genetic variation, ancestral species gradually give rise to new ones. In this context, the first chicken likely emerged from a series of genetic mutations and variations within its ancestral population. Therefore, the egg containing the first true chicken would have been laid by a non-chicken ancestor, resolving the paradox from an evolutionary perspective.

Eggs in the marketplace

To overcome the chicken and egg problem in the context of marketplaces, various strategies can be employed. These include entering with significant pre-investment, building a cooperative strategy, acting as a producer, using an evolution strategy, and targeting a specific user group to fill one side of the market². Additionally, building a one-sided market, where the majority of people buying are also selling, can help avoid the chicken and egg problem altogether³.

In evolutionary biology, the literal answer to the question “which came first: the chicken or the egg?” is provided by the Darwinian principle that species evolve over time. Therefore, chickens had ancestors that were not chickens, implying that the egg came first. The first amniote egg, which could be laid on land, appeared around 312 million years ago, predating the existence of modern chickens.

Philosophical Implications

The chicken and egg problem extends beyond biological considerations, delving into the realm of metaphysics and causality. Philosophers have grappled with questions of first causes and the nature of existence, using the chicken and egg dilemma as a metaphor for broader inquiries into the origins of the universe and the nature of reality.

Causality and Temporal Paradoxes

The chicken and egg problem also raises intriguing questions about causality and temporality. In a temporal sense, the egg precedes the chicken in the sequence of reproduction, yet the chicken is a prerequisite for the egg to exist. This apparent paradox challenges our intuitions about cause and effect, prompting deeper reflection on the nature of time and causation.

Cultural and Literary References

The chicken and egg problem has permeated popular culture, appearing in literature, humor, and idiomatic expressions. Its enigmatic nature and universal appeal have made it a recurring motif in storytelling, often symbolizing unresolved dilemmas or circular reasoning.

Conclusion

The chicken and egg problem, while deceptively simple on the surface, encompasses profound philosophical and scientific inquiries. By delving into its biological, philosophical, and cultural dimensions, we gain valuable insights into the nature of life, causality, and human thought. This enduring enigma continues to captivate the imagination, inviting us to contemplate the mysteries of existence and the interconnectedness of all living things.⁴

In summary, the chicken and egg problem is a common challenge faced in various contexts, including evolutionary biology and marketplaces, where the interdependence of two factors makes it difficult to determine which should come first. Overcoming this problem requires a thoughtful and strategic approach to attract both parties simultaneously, thereby breaking the cycle of hesitation and enabling the system to grow and thrive.⁵

#biology #causality #CausalityDilemma #evolution #Interdependence #Marketplaces #metaphysics #philosophy

References:

2022-08-24

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#Biology #Gender #Sex

2021-01-23

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“President Biden is rolling back decades of women’s achievement and opportunity in sports by executive fiat.”

#BidenErasedWomen #Biology #Gender @Joe_Biden #Misogyny #Sex #Sports #Transgender @USA #Women

2021-01-22

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‘Gender-neutral speech doesn’t make biology go away: it just removes the analytical tools to understand and address it.’
— Dr Kath Murray (@kathmurray1) January 22, 2021

#Biology #Gender #Ideology #Language #Sex #Transgender @USA #Women

[*]

Anyone else notice how when an athlete comes out as a transwoman, the press only show photos of them alone, so they look lonely, isolated, harmless? This is cyclist Emily Bridges 1/ pic.twitter.com/iWVfs5SIYb
— Miranda #IStandWithJKRowling (@MirandaNewsom) January 22, 2021

#Biology #Gender #Misogyny #Sex #Sports #Transgender @USA #Women

2021-01-21

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If you don’t know how Biden’s EO will affect girls’ & women’s rights: in 2015 200 Missouri school girls staged a walk-out because this boy wanted to undress in their locker room. He refused a third space: “I am a girl.” #BidenErasedWomen
— Passie (@Passie_Kracht) January 21, 2021

#Biology #Education #Gender #Sex #Sports #Transgender @USA #Women

2020-12-22

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From the scandal of unpublished negative results to the @Keira_Bell victory in court and the finally published study, read the full shocking story.

#Biology #Children #Gender @Great_Britain #Ideology #Science #Sex @Tavistock #Transgender

2020-12-13

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NEW: Freedom of Information request confirms half of all male prisoners who identify as trans have at least conviction for sexual offending
— FairPlayForWomen (@fairplaywomen) December 13, 2020

#Biology #Crime #Gender @Great_Britain #Sex #Transgender #Violence

2020-12-12

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Vergewaltiger und Kinderschänder ins Frauengefängnis stecken?
JA, sagen Juristinnen, die für das #Selbstbestimmungsgesetz argumentieren. Dass das keine gute Idee ist, sagt nicht nur der gesunde Menschenverstand, sondern wird auch hier erläutert:
— V. Firestone 📕 (@TeaTea1337) December 12, 2020

#Biology #Crime #Gender @Germany #Misogyny #Sex #Transgender #Violence

2020-12-03

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Chromosome variation does not form new sexes, and such karyotypes represent the variation within males and females.

#Biology #Identity #Ideology #Sex #Transgender

2020-11-30

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How the trans-religion conquered North America

#Biology #Gender #Identity #Ideology #Pharma #Sex #Transgender

2020-11-29

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The response to Abigail Shrier’s book reveals trans activists’ true colours

@Abigail_Shrier #Biology #Gender #Identity #Ideology #Pharma #Sex #Transgender

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The trans-religion tries to suppress scientific data about the lifelong costs for transitioning girls

#Biology #Homophobia #Gender #Identity #Ideology #Pharma #Sex #Transgender

2020-11-28

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The misogynistic side of the trans-religion.

#Biology #Gender #Identity #Ideology #Misogyny #Sex #Transgender #Women

2020-11-26

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In pursuit of a third human sex.

#Biology #Gender #Science #Sex

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“When an international human rights organisation with the reach and influence of Amnesty International signs a letter that seeks to deny legitimate representation to people of conscience, it has a chilling effect on society” - Sean MacBride’s granddaughter

@Amnesty_International #Biology #Gender #Human_Rights #Identity #Ideology @Ireland #Misogyny #Sex #Transgender

2020-11-25

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How the trans-religion distorts reality: A man claiming to be a woman attacks another man and is reported to be a woman.

#Biology #Gender #Identity #Ideology #Media #Sex #Transgender

2020-11-04

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Women – an endangered species – fighting back

#Biology #Cancer #Feminism #Music #Women

2020-09-18

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Alice Sullivan, Professor of Sociology at UCL, presented this piece during our event “What are the ethics of collecting data on sex and gender?” held on Friday the 18th of September 2020.

#Biology #Gender @Great_Britain #Language #Science #Sex #Transgender #Women

2020-08-16

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#Biology @Debra_Soh #Feminism #Gender #Sex

2020-08-06

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Joe Rogan Experience 1509 with Abigail Shrier

@Abigail_Shrier #Abuse #Biology #Gender @Joe_Rogan #Sexuality #Transgender

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Joe Rogan Experience 1520 with Dr. Debra Soh

#Biology @Debra_Soh #Gender @Joe_Rogan #Sexuality #Transgender

2020-07-27

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Interesting talk about the decline of science, political correctness, cult-like believe systems replacing proven facts, and many more …

#Biology @Debra_Soh #Gender #Identity @James_Damore @Joe_Rogan #LGB #PC #Science #Sexuality #SJW @USA

2020-07-21

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(…) viewing transgender as a fixed or stable entity, rather than a state of mind with multiple causative factors, closes down opportunities for doctors and patients to explore the meaning of any discomfort. Being gender non-conforming, or wishing to opt out of gender altogether, is not only not indicative of mental disorder – it is, in many ways, an entirely rational response to present capitalist reliance on rigid gender norms and roles. However, when multiple medical interventions are required on an otherwise healthy body or doctors are expected to deny the concept of sex or the sexed body, the situation becomes less coherent. The notion of conversion therapy for those seeing themselves as transgender relies on another binary – that of ‘cisgender’ and ‘transgender’ – being set, closed, biologically anchored categories without overlap, rather than a more plausible hypothesis that one’s gender identity is flexible, informed by one’s culture, personality, personal preferences and social milieu.

#Biology #Gender #Science #Sex #Transgender #Women

2019-12-15

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Interessanter Ansatz …

Biotechnik

#Biology #Climate_Change #CO2 #Ecology #Technology

2019-10-22

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This intensively researched book exposes a male-biased world and successfully argues that the lack of “big data” on women is equivalent to rendering half of the world’s population invisible

#Biology #Gender #Men #Science #Sex #Women

2018-07-03

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@John_Oliver about Gene Editing

#Capitalism #Biology #Genetics #Health #Science @USA

2018-02-20

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Exceedingly rich, white men (and women) who invest in biomedical companies are funding myriad transgender organizations whose agenda will make them gobs of money.
“These include but are not limited to @Jennifer_Pritzker (a male who identifies as transgender); @George_Soros; @Martine_Rothblatt (a male who identifies as transgender and transhumanist); @Tim_Gill (a gay man); @Drummond_Pike; Warren and Peter Buffett; @Jon_Stryker (a gay man); @Mark_Bonham (a gay man); and @Ric_Weiland (a deceased gay man whose philanthropy is still LGBT-oriented).”