A philosophical conundrum

Discussion in 'General Chat' started by Active Hiatus, Nov 1, 2005.

  1. Active Hiatus

    Active Hiatus

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    But the question is not whether we are capable of predicting correctly but rather is every reaction predetermined by the preceding cause?
     
    Active Hiatus, Nov 2, 2005
    #21
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    Tenson Moderator

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    No.

    Otherwise nothing would have ever happened, ever!

    Unless you believe that God created the universe, but if so then what caused God to exist?

    Active Hiatus, I think you would get a much better answer to your question if you stop looking at it from a Newtonian point of view and get with the Einstein man ;)

    Find and watch a film called 'What the bleep do we know?!' it explains a lot of quantum physics in an interesting way. Though the bit about water molecules is not really accepted as true because it has not been reproduced.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 2, 2005
    Tenson, Nov 2, 2005
    #22
  3. Active Hiatus

    Active Hiatus

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    The whole conundrum is an Absurdum reductio, i.e. patently ridiculous. Following the logic then the brain activety is predetermined, therefore there is no thought, no reasoned action, all we experience is an allusion. We are not in fact having a conversation. Clearly this is wrong but I find the logic seductive. A bit like the ancient problem of Achilles & the Tortoise. It makes sense but is clearly wrong. I was hoping that someone might be able to see the hole in the argument.

    It's interesting that what is a purely philoshophical question has been directed to answers in quantum physics
     
    Active Hiatus, Nov 2, 2005
    #23
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    7_V I want a Linn - in a DB9

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    Our thought processes are far more random than most of us assume. Gurus in Eastern philosophies such as Zen, Tibetan Buddhism or Raj Yoga have likened thoughts to the 'squirming of the worm in the brain' or 'the playing of the monkeys in the head'. Their goal has been to stop the thoughts and thus transcend thinking. Various meditation systems, such as Transcendental Meditation or Zazen, are designed to achieve just this.

    To very quickly discover how much control we have over our thought processes - whether we think our thoughts or they think us - simply sit quietly and witness, without comment, any thoughts that come into your mind. Two minutes should do it.

    Regards
    Steve
     
    7_V, Nov 2, 2005
    #24
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    T-bone Sanchez

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    yeah mon roll me another thats sum bad sh*t uv got there, easy now. pink floyd......
     
    T-bone Sanchez, Nov 2, 2005
    #25
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    ditton happy old soul

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    go with the flow, man ....
     
    ditton, Nov 2, 2005
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    T-bone Sanchez

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    :eek:

    quite proficient for a dingle, still, spelling your name correct is proficient for a dingle... :D
     
    T-bone Sanchez, Nov 2, 2005
    #27
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    Paul Ranson

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    and
    Shows the flaw in your reductio. The 'philosophical question' when applied to reality invokes physics, physics breaks the paradox. Look up 'determinism'. I think information theory might also break your paradox, just as the concept of infinity breaks the Achilles/tortoise one.

    What does 1 + 1/2 + 1/4 + 1/8 + 1/16....1/2^n add up to when n is infinite?

    Paul
     
    Paul Ranson, Nov 2, 2005
    #28
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    7_V I want a Linn - in a DB9

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    I think that should be spelling your name correct ly (adverb you see).

    Besides, I only support the club. I'm not from there, I'm a bl**dy Southerner.

    Anyway, should I take "quite proficient for a dingle" as a compliment or, bearing in mind that it's written by a B*st*rd Rover fan, just the squirming of the worm in his brain? :D

    Regards
     
    7_V, Nov 2, 2005
    #29
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    T-bone Sanchez

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    a southner AND a dingle fan......oh the hilarity of it all. I'll let you know that the worm you refer too is infact a highly intelligent worm that knows the answer to everything including the original question.
     
    T-bone Sanchez, Nov 2, 2005
    #30
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    julian2002 Muper Soderator

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    paul,
    i think you've just proved it's impossible to be shot if you run away from the gun. :D
    cheers


    julian
     
    julian2002, Nov 2, 2005
    #31
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    Paul Ranson

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    Try 'if only he'd run in ever decreasing intervals' with the judge....

    Paul
     
    Paul Ranson, Nov 2, 2005
    #32
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