| Word or Phrase |
Definitions |
page |
| pons asinorum |
The bridge of asses. http://www.bartleby.com/61/78/P0437800.html A problem that severely tests the ability of an inexperienced person. ETYMOLOGY: New Latin p a problem that severely tests the ability of an inexperienced person Etymology: New Latin, literally, asses' bridge, name applied to the
proposition that the base angles of an isosceles triangle are equal When Lewis uses this word on page 4 what does he mean? What is the test here suggested that will test the inexperienced? And more to the point for our course - what is the bridge of asses for those who wish to enter the discussion of artificial intelligence? |
4 |
| secundum literam | The discussion of secundum litteram expressions
refers to expressions that are not literally true. Lewis criticizes
Orbilius for not explaining to young people when it is appropriate to use
expressions that are not literally true and when it is not. secundum artem: According to the rules of art. - in other words there are times when words are used not to be taken literally but figuratively http://www.columbia.edu/cu/augustine/arch/lewis/nelson_notes.html |
10 |
| obiter dicta | A thing said incidentally; an unofficial expression of opinion. | 12 |
| ordo amoris | the proper order of love is the basis of the correct orientation of life | 16 |
| dulce | sweet | 22 |
| decorum | appropriate or proper manners or behavior | 22 |
| humani nihil a me alienum puto | in the second
century BC an African ex slave called Terence who became a famous Roman
author. He said, "I am a man:
nothing human is alien (foreign) to me.
["Homo sum; humani nihil a me alienum puto"] |
39 |
| Clotho | Clotho, a goddess from Greek mythology, is the youngest of the three Fates, but one of the oldest goddesses in Greek mythology. She is a daughter of Zeus and Themis. Each fate has a certain job, whether it be measuring thread, spinning it on a spinning wheel, or cutting the thread at the right length. Clotho is the spinner, and she spins the thread of human life with her distaff. The length of the string will determine how long a certain person’s life will be. She is also known to be the daughter of Night, to indicate the darkness and obscurity of human destiny. No one knows for sure how much power Clotho and her sisters have, however, they often disobey the ruler, Zeus, and other gods. For some reason, the gods seem to obey them, whether because the fates do possess greater power, or as some sources suggest, their existence is part of the order of the Universe, and this the gods cannot disturb. | 59 |
| artificial values | "The Conditioners, then, are to choose whatkind of artificial Tao they will, for their own reasons produce in the Human race. They are the motivators, the creators of motives. But how are they going to be motivated themselves?" | 62 |
| sic volo, sic jubeo | Thus I will, thus I command, my pleasure stands for a reason. | 65 |
| artefacts | "They are not men at all: they are artefacts. Man's final conquest has proved to be the abolition of Man." | 64 |
| artificial conscience | "Though regarding as an illusion the artificial conscience which they produce in us their subjects, they will yet perceive that it creates in us an illusion of meaning for our lives which compares favourably with the futility of their own: and they will envy us as eunuchs envy men." | 66 |
| power over nature | "Each new power won by man is a power over man as well." also "For the power of Man to make himself what he pleases means, as we have seen, the power of some men to make other men what they please." | 58 and 59 |
| ferum victorem cepit | The defeated conquered its uncivilised
vanquisher.
|
68 |
| basilisk | a legendary reptile with fatal breath and glance | 80 |
| sui generis | Of its own kind; unique | 80 |
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