Thinking Outside the Pyramid

One aim of this course is to challenge students to think in new ways, develop skills in innovation and to do new things... in their areas of interest.

It is not easy to challenge our thinking. Much of our thinking is based on assumptions - some of which may not have been questioned. We may discuss and debate issues endlessly without ever questioning our underlying assumptions.

One way to question our assumptions is to look at enigma and paradox. The enigma I chose was the Great Pyramid. Some believe that the Great Pyramid is not an enigma at all but others contend that we have interpreted the 'facts' based on assumptions that have not been sufficiently questioned.

They argue that there are too many anomalies that do not fit the accepted historical worldview. Not only that but if we use a different worldview then those anomalies begin to make sense in a consistent way.

But changing accepted thinking is not easy. Scientist Max Planck said “A new scientific truth does not triumph by convincing its opponents and making them see the light, but rather because its opponents eventually die, and a new generation grows up that is familiar with it”.

The presentation and audio have been uploaded to the class moodle page.

We will look at worldviews again a few weeks.