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the changing speed of light. dad, this thread is for you

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Danyc

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Lutherans believe in a new heavens. They understand the world was created, and that this earth shall pass away. I think they also believe in the miracles of Jesus, such as the loaves and fishes.

Obviously, the earth was created. I don't contest that it was created by God. It is the manner in which it was created. I believe in evolution as well.
I believe in the miracles of Jesus, as all Christians should.

Truthfully, I have not read all 43 pages of this thread. I do not have the patience for that. If the above has something to do with your discussion, then I would side with you. The world was created by God, and it will pass away. I don't see how that can be determined by any math, however.

I also agree with atheists in that the universe is very, very old.

I was under the impression that you were still discussing the original topic; if you have gone two or three miles off track and I did not know, I apologize...but then, maybe you should make a new thread for that of which you are discussing now.
 
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FishFace

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Don't say that too loud, Darwinists post here.

Oh, funny. But you didn't address the point.

You can't prove that what exists, and the all are applicable in heaven, face it. If we are talking here and now, it is not an issue for me. Although I did read that even here, some disagree with ZF, in the wiki article.

Great. So they have different axioms. But you can still prove all sorts of stuff about infinity and so on, that will still be true whatever universe you're in.
It is perfectly possible to prove mathematical existence. For example, if I give you a continuous function on the interval [a,b] I can prove to you that, for any value in the range of the function, there exists a number between a and b such that the function takes that value at that number. This is called the intermediate value theorem.

But, of course it does matter. If a loaf no longer represents 1 loaf, then the relationships between numbers needs to reflect that reality.

No they don't. If 1 loaf doesn't represent one loaf (since "a" loaf means just the same as "one" loaf) then you can cook up some new axioms if you like, but I don't care - ZF mathematics still works, whether it represents anything or not. We might not be able to apply it to your crazy loaves, but who cares.

ZF is a fishbowl formula.

No, ZF isn't associated with any "bowl" at all.

And nothing here is relative to the next state, in a precise, mathematical way.

You know zero of mathematical precision. Since "y=2x" isn't related to any state whatsoever.

Not at all. There is the measure of the angels, and there is the measure of man. As mentioned when the size of New Jerusalem was given, by the way. I don't make this stuff up.
If we know the measure of angels, we can translate it to the measure of a man. But to translate man's measures, we need to know the measure of the angels!!! Do you??? If not, then you must stick to the fishbowl measure of a man, period.

This has nothing to do with 2x=y.

It transcends it in the head only.

Well, that's fine since mathematics is about concepts!

The one where the spiritual is added, such as locally, with the loaves and fishes. But you forgot the 'W' The will of God. That modifies all things there! When we add it to 5 loaves, the numbers all come alive.
(number 5 is alive)

No. Still no. You see,
5 = {{},
{{}},
{{},{{}}},
{{},{{}},{{},{{}}}},
{{},{{}},{{},{{}}},{{},{{}},{{},{{}}}}}

And 40,000 is, well, far too big to write down. Still, 40,000 has far more elements than 5, so 40,000 is not equal to 5.
So what happens when you "add the spiritual?" that doesn't do squat to the definition of the number 5, or of 40,000! Those are definitions that we humans cooked up for ourselves, so they stay just where they are.

Adding W redefines everything as we know it.

Does it really? Redefining, though, is just relabeling. You can decide that 5 is defined as a banana if you really want to, but the old concept of 5 is still there, and we can call it whatever we like, it will behave just the same as that thing which we used to call 5.
I don't expect you will understand this. I'm not even sure if you could understand it, but you won't try so that doesn't matter. Nonetheless, it is true.

Only as long as you stay in the state the foundation is in.

The foundation being our minds? Great.

You are in no position to comment intelligently on that.

Irony - learn it. love it. Please dad, PLEASE: avoid it.

All math, science, and knowledge of man is foolishness to God.

You think knowledge is foolishness? Well, call me the biggest fool you like. Since I've got no reason to believe it's actually true I'll carry on trying to gain knowledge.
 
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FishFace

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Answer me this:
  • 7/7 = 1
  • 6/6 = 1
  • 5/5 = 1
  • 4/4 = 1
  • 3/3 = 1
  • 2/2 = 1
  • 1/1 = 1
  • 0/0 = what?

Firstly, change of subject noted - I guess you accept that I'm right about the loaves and fishes. Good.

Division by 0 is undefined - never mind dividing 0/0 which is an indeterminate form.

For example, you used x/x, but what if we take (x*x)/x? This:

16/4 = 4
9/3 = 3
4/2 = 2
1/1 = 1
0/0 = ?

So we have one sequence which looks like 0/0 ought to be 1, and another in which it looks like it ought to be 0. And it's pretty easy to demonstrate that you can construct a similar sequence for any value you want to give to 0/0. Explanation: division by 0 just doesn't work. I mean, if I share out zero apples between zero people, how many apples does each person get? Well, that doesn't even make sense since there aren't any people.

There's nothing wrong with this - it just doesn't work. And, as with infinity, if you think a/0 does work, then try this for size:
1: Assumption: a/0 is well-defined.
2: Corollary: a/0 = x, for some x dependent on a.
3: Multiplication by 0: a = x*0, i.e. a = 0.

This would mean that every number is zero. This is a contradiction, but all we've used is normal maths, plus assuming that a/0 makes sense. Hence it is not possible to divide by zero.
 
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dad

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.. Only you do. But you do need to be aware that some people might be offended.

Well, great peace have they which love His law, and nothing shall offend them. But it is still bad manners to blaspheme Jesus on a Christian forum. This is news??


Again, Dad, if you want people to respect what you hold dear, perhaps you should treat people with respect for their areas.
Well, you ought to respect the beliefs people if you post on their forum.


If my commentary was blasphemous (which I will grant it was!) then I should think a Christian who disregards his own Gospels would have a bit more to worry about than an atheist.
I wouldn't know about those types, but I see you admit your blasphemies.


But that's OK. We are not all educated. Hopefully you will listen when the mathematicians talk.

I did, and I already put them in their place.


Blasphemy? Who cares? I have sat and read you constantly denigrate my field for quite some time here. The stuff I hold dear means nothing to you. Why should what you hold dear mean anything to me?
The stuff flies hold dear is still stuff. The stuff you speak of, whatever it might be, ought to be defended if it was supportable, and proven, and real, and truthful. It wasn't. Don't blame me for the stuff you chose to hold dear.
 
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dad

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Obviously, the earth was created. I don't contest that it was created by God. It is the manner in which it was created. I believe in evolution as well.
I believe in the miracles of Jesus, as all Christians should.
If you mean from the pond, then you don't believe in creation of Adam and Eve.
Truthfully, I have not read all 43 pages of this thread.
No problem, it was fairly evident you didn't really know what you were talking about. Since you also were insulting, and demeaning, I thought I'd take a moment to dress you down a notch.

I do not have the patience for that. If the above has something to do with your discussion, then I would side with you.
Great.

The world was created by God, and it will pass away. I don't see how that can be determined by any math, however.
No, you don't. And apparently you won't, since your patience doesn't allow you to.

I also agree with atheists in that the universe is very, very old.
Well, I understood that kindred spirit existed, but thanks for confirming it.

I was under the impression that you were still discussing the original topic; if you have gone two or three miles off track and I did not know, I apologize...but then, maybe you should make a new thread for that of which you are discussing now.
I didn't make this one, and you can't even pay attention to it, why start another?
 
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dad

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Oh, funny. But you didn't address the point.
Your original quote was this
"Doesn't matter at all - a, b and {} are just notation. We could use pictures of different species of monkeys if we really wanted to, but that seems a bit stupid."
You could use different symbols, but they still would have to mean something in relation to the other things we associate them with. In the end, this universe is the basis for the math. Therefore the relations must change.

Great. So they have different axioms. But you can still prove all sorts of stuff about infinity and so on, that will still be true whatever universe you're in.
Not really. Because infinity is an abstract concept to you and me here. If we can't even lock in the number 5, as in the 5 loaves, how do you think the big numbers will fare as they presume to approach infinity, and beyond??!

It is perfectly possible to prove mathematical existence. For example, if I give you a continuous function on the interval [a,b] I can prove to you that, for any value in the range of the function, there exists a number between a and b such that the function takes that value at that number. This is called the intermediate value theorem.
Well, when we get into things like convergence, it gets back to the same thing.
"In mathematics, convergence describes limiting behaviour, particularly of an infinite sequence or series, toward some limit. To assert convergence is to claim the existence of such a limit, which may be itself unknown." wiki
And here are a few more terms of math that show that the universe state it is founded in is all important.

"connectedness" This depends on what is connected, and we might suppose that depends on the state of the universe.

In mathematics, the image of a function is the set of all possible values (i.e. outputs) of the function. [what is possible on the other side beggars description in this state]

"he intermediate value theorem states the following: If y=f(x) is continuous..." wiki
.."In mathematics, a continuous function is a function for which, intuitively, small changes in the input result in small changes in the output."wiki

An entire universe change is no small change, so you really do need to look at your imagined input and output there.


No they don't. If 1 loaf doesn't represent one loaf (since "a" loaf means just the same as "one" loaf) then you can cook up some new axioms if you like, but I don't care
Well, it did represent one loaf, in the normal PO state. When the spiritual was added, why, we can't use that math any more. So, as I say, it is all fine and dandy here and now, but don't pretend it applies to the heavenly realm.

- ZF mathematics still works, whether it represents anything or not.
Cute. It may work in someones head, but not in the merged state universe.

We might not be able to apply it to your crazy loaves, but who cares.
Well if anyone was trying to take that math to the other side, they would care. If all you want to do is keep it in the fishbowl, why, then it doesn't matter.



No, ZF isn't associated with any "bowl" at all.
Where the bowl is the symbol representing this universe, it sure is. Would you prefer we use monkies for the symbol??


You know zero of mathematical precision. Since "y=2x" isn't related to any state whatsoever.
That depends on what you want it to represent.


Well, that's fine since mathematics is about concepts!
And concepts, like foundations are in a state.

No. Still no. You see,
5 = {{},
{{}},
{{},{{}}},
{{},{{}},{{},{{}}}},
{{},{{}},{{},{{}}},{{},{{}},{{},{{}}}}}

And 40,000 is, well, far too big to write down. Still, 40,000 has far more elements than 5, so 40,000 is not equal to 5.
Depends on what 5. The 5 loaves were equal to many thousands of loaves.


So what happens when you "add the spiritual?" that doesn't do squat to the definition of the number 5, or of 40,000! Those are definitions that we humans cooked up for ourselves, so they stay just where they are.
You think you cooked up numbers??? No. God knew the numbers when He made the universe in 6 days.



Does it really? Redefining, though, is just relabeling. You can decide that 5 is defined as a banana if you really want to, but the old concept of 5 is still there, and we can call it whatever we like, it will behave just the same as that thing which we used to call 5.
Your normal fives will behave that way. But we are not talking normal, we are talking about the other side, and how math of this state does, or does not apply there.


The foundation being our minds? Great.
Well, no, the foundation being the fundamental principles upon which the maths are built.


You think knowledge is foolishness? Well, call me the biggest fool you like. Since I've got no reason to believe it's actually true I'll carry on trying to gain knowledge.
I know man's knowledge is absolute and utter literal foolishness, screaming lunacy, demented dreams, and silly stark raving madness, because God said it was foolishness to Him.
Man can't begin to understand history for example, without the real reasons behind it. For example, the fate of the Roman empire, and Israel, was decided the day they crucified Jesus. Jesus was not on trial, Rome was. The Sanhedrin sealed their countries fate that day as well.
 
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Adivi

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Your original quote was this
"Doesn't matter at all - a, b and {} are just notation. We could use pictures of different species of monkeys if we really wanted to, but that seems a bit stupid."
You could use different symbols, but they still would have to mean something in relation to the other things we associate them with. In the end, this universe is the basis for the math. Therefore the relations must change.
The statement "The set {} is a proper subset of {{}}" is true, and under the usual interpretation of ZF, means that 0 < 1. What property of this universe am I using here?
Not really. Because infinity is an abstract concept to you and me here. If we can't even lock in the number 5, as in the 5 loaves, how do you think the big numbers will fare as they presume to approach infinity, and beyond??!
Why is this concept of the five loaves so important to you? If I put five sandwiches on a plate, and then you eat one, and I add two while you're not looking, that doesn't mean that 5=6.
Well, when we get into things like convergence, it gets back to the same thing.
"In mathematics, convergence describes limiting behaviour, particularly of an infinite sequence or series, toward some limit. To assert convergence is to claim the existence of such a limit, which may be itself unknown." wiki
When I say that some sequence converges, I mean that it tends towards some limit. It is possible to prove the existence of the limit without knowing it's value. The concept of a nonconstructive proof is well-known.
"connectedness" This depends on what is connected, and we might suppose that depends on the state of the universe.

No. Connectedness is a property of sets; it relates to the existence of paths between all points, where a path is defined via functions, which are defined via sets! No relation to the concrete universe at all!
In mathematics, the image of a function is the set of all possible values (i.e. outputs) of the function. [what is possible on the other side beggars description in this state]
The image of a function f is defined as the set of all y so that there exists an x so that f(x)=y. A function is a class of ordered pairs, and x and y themselves are defined in sets. Oh look, we're back to sets! Nothing to do at all with the concrete, physical universe.
"he intermediate value theorem states the following: If y=f(x) is continuous..." wiki
.."In mathematics, a continuous function is a function for which, intuitively, small changes in the input result in small changes in the output."wiki
Continuous has a precise definition, which involves limits, which can be defined in terms of the epsilon-delta definition that I used for 1/x before, which in turn can be reduced to... sets!
An entire universe change is no small change, so you really do need to look at your imagined input and output there.
The function f(x)=x for all x in a given set S can be defined under ZF as the class of all sets {{z}, z} for all z in S. So for example, the identity function over the set of nonnegative integers is the class:
[ {{}}
{ {{}}, {}},
{ {{{}}}, {{}}},
...]
Doesn't look like there's any hidden 'universe' parameter there.

Well, it did represent one loaf, in the normal PO state. When the spiritual was added, why, we can't use that math any more. So, as I say, it is all fine and dandy here and now, but don't pretend it applies to the heavenly realm.
That doesn't mean that the mathematics is no longer true, it just means that the usage of the math to model the world is no longer correct.
Well if anyone was trying to take that math to the other side, they would care. If all you want to do is keep it in the fishbowl, why, then it doesn't matter.
The entire point is that ZF is a self-consistent model for mathematics, and that all of its theorems will still be true no matter what the state of the universe. If it somehow works out that all the loaves of bread will never run out, then [/b]that doesn't mean math doesn't work, just that you can't apply math to it. Mathematics itself is unvarying and independent of the structure of reality.[/b]


Where the bowl is the symbol representing this universe, it sure is. Would you prefer we use monkies for the symbol??
Show me where one of the ten axioms of ZF states a property of the universe.
[/quote]

Depends on what 5. The 5 loaves were equal to many thousands of loaves.
If you take one pile of hay and add it to another pile of hay, you just get one big pile. That doesn't mean that 1+1=1, though. It means that the physical world is not necessarily a model of mathematics.

Your normal fives will behave that way. But we are not talking normal, we are talking about the other side, and how math of this state does, or does not apply there.
Well, if the fives we're talking about on 'the other side', whatever that may be, aren't the same fives, then of course they won't behave the same way. But the original fives still would.

I know man's knowledge is absolute and utter literal foolishness, screaming lunacy, demented dreams, and silly stark raving madness, because God said it was foolishness to Him.
Huh. Looks like that "absolute and utter literal foolishness, screaming lunacy, demented dreams, and silly stark raving madness" sure has done a lot, including create the computer you're using to post on these forums, the forums themselves, and pretty much everything you take for granted.

My fundamental point here is that mathematics will always be self-consistent no matter what the state of the universe is. All that leaving the 'fishbowl' or whatever metaphor you want to use could do is change how you use it to model the world.
 
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FishFace

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Your original quote was this
"Doesn't matter at all - a, b and {} are just notation. We could use pictures of different species of monkeys if we really wanted to, but that seems a bit stupid."
You could use different symbols, but they still would have to mean something in relation to the other things we associate them with. In the end, this universe is the basis for the math. Therefore the relations must change.

Again, incorrect. They are related solely to their definitions. What property of the universe tells us that the set {a} and the set {b} have the same size? None - it is a property of ZF set theory which says that two sets have the same size if there exists a bijection between the two sets. The bijection is simply f(a) = b (with inverse g(b)=a)

Not really. Because infinity is an abstract concept to you and me here. If we can't even lock in the number 5, as in the 5 loaves, how do you think the big numbers will fare as they presume to approach infinity, and beyond??!

Irrelevant. Given certain axioms, we can prove things about infinity. If you want to change those axioms, then you can do that, but that doesn't mean we have to stop using them. So in the new universe, you can do whatever you like with whatever axioms you like, but us mathematicians can still prove facts about infinity.

"he intermediate value theorem states the following: If y=f(x) is continuous..." wiki
.."In mathematics, a continuous function is a function for which, intuitively, small changes in the input result in small changes in the output."wiki

An entire universe change is no small change, so you really do need to look at your imagined input and output there.

You really don't have a clue, unfortunately. Do you want to learn, or do you want to carry on the way you are?
A continuous function is a function for which, if you change its argument a very small amount, its value also changes only by a very small amount. More precisely, for any given small number, you can always change the argument of the function by a sufficiently small but nonzero amount, such that the change in output is less than that small number.
A change in the universe has nothing to do with this. I can give you an even more precise definition, if you like.

Well, it did represent one loaf, in the normal PO state. When the spiritual was added, why, we can't use that math any more.

Of course we can use it. Just because something in the universe changed, doesn't mean that you suddenly can't use the Peano Axioms, or ZF set theory.

Well if anyone was trying to take that math to the other side, they would care. If all you want to do is keep it in the fishbowl, why, then it doesn't matter.

So all you're saying is that you're crazy spiritual loaves wouldn't behave according to normal mathematics? Well, that's great, go ahead and believe that. But that doesn't change what infinity is.

That depends on what you want it to represent.

Well, "y=2x" represents any two quantities where the latter is always twice the former.

And concepts, like foundations are in a state.

Wrong, since concepts are abstract as I've told you only about 20 times.

Depends on what 5. The 5 loaves were equal to many thousands of loaves.

No. There is only one 5. That 5 is defined as I told you. We've already discussed the fact that your loaves example doesn't work.

You think you cooked up numbers??? No. God knew the numbers when He made the universe in 6 days.

I'm sorry, I never read the part of the Bible where God said, "And verily I tell you, that the number two is defined as a set containing two elements, that is to say, {{},{{}}}."

We made these definitions, thanks.

Your normal fives will behave that way.

Great. Then you can go off and invent some new axioms to deal with whatever you think will happen later. But our axioms will still be good for proving a whole load of stuff that we've already proven. The intermediate value theorem will still be true.

Well, no, the foundation being the fundamental principles upon which the maths are built.

Such as the ZF axioms.

I know man's knowledge is absolute and utter literal foolishness, screaming lunacy, demented dreams, and silly stark raving madness, because God said it was foolishness to Him.
Man can't begin to understand history for example, without the real reasons behind it. For example, the fate of the Roman empire, and Israel, was decided the day they crucified Jesus. Jesus was not on trial, Rome was. The Sanhedrin sealed their countries fate that day as well.

I guess that's why you refuse to learn any maths then.
 
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EnCrypto

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If you mean from the pond, then you don't believe in creation of Adam and Eve.
Didn't he just say that? You believe in a literal Creation, he doesn't. Your beliefs are in the minority of Christians, his are in the majority. Does it matter if either of you are right or wrong? You are both Christians, you both believe in God and Christ and the teachings of Christ, so you will both go to Heaven.

No problem, it was fairly evident you didn't really know what you were talking about. Since you also were insulting, and demeaning, I thought I'd take a moment to dress you down a notch.
Is that what Jesus would do?
 
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Danyc

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If you mean from the pond, then you don't believe in creation of Adam and Eve.

I believe that much of the bible is figurative. I am still thinking about that.

No problem, it was fairly evident you didn't really know what you were talking about. Since you also were insulting, and demeaning, I thought I'd take a moment to dress you down a notch.

Sounds appropriate. I have read the thread now, however; it wasn't too difficult. I couldn't brain that day, I had the dumb.
I'm fine now, though. So I read the thread. And I stick with my original thought. Thaumatergy's reply to my question made a lot of sense; even if it's pointless to argue with you.

I didn't make this one, and you can't even pay attention to it, why start another?

Just don't get too far off-track; I see that you are still discussing the light thing, if on a tangent. It would be good to start another thread if other things were being discussed, however
 
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thaumaturgy

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Depends on what 5. The 5 loaves were equal to many thousands of loaves.

For those now keeping score:

"5" now has no meaning.

5 could mean 5 or "several thousand", which effectively means 5=5 is as true as 5=5,000.

So then, 5,000 = 5.

(I suppose that in this sense, the statement really is:

"Some 5 are 5,000" Which is equivalent to
"Some 5,000 are 5".)

So, how do we know the Bible wasn't working under the assumption that Jesus fed 5 people with 5 loaves?

The miracle kind of goes away when you sap all the meaning from the words.

(That is kind of why Dad's failure to grasp the philosophical issues in play, the issues he is bringing up himself, are not necessarily always a benefit to his own side of the argument.)
 
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FishFace

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For those now keeping score:

"5" now has no meaning.

5 could mean 5 or "several thousand", which effectively means 5=5 is as true as 5=5,000.

So then, 5,000 = 5.

(I suppose that in this sense, the statement really is:

"Some 5 are 5,000" Which is equivalent to
"Some 5,000 are 5".)

So, how do we know the Bible wasn't working under the assumption that Jesus fed 5 people with 5 loaves?

The miracle kind of goes away when you sap all the meaning from the words.

(That is kind of why Dad's failure to grasp the philosophical issues in play, the issues he is bringing up himself, are not necessarily always a benefit to his own side of the argument.)

Basically what you're saying is that dad broke reality again, right?
 
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FishFace

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theres absolutely NO proof light has EVER changed speed.

quit feeding ignorance by replying to crack-pot threads such as these.

Don't you realise? Dad doesn't need any evidence - if there's no evidence it DIDN'T happen - it may as well have!

That's just dad's crazy world.
 
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mpok1519

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Don't you realise? Dad doesn't need any evidence - if there's no evidence it DIDN'T happen - it may as well have!

That's just dad's crazy world.
then why does anyon even reply to his threads?

why even pay attention to something so stupid? Why pay attention to something thats trying to demean and diminish you? Why pay attention to something that has no intention other than to destroy truth?
 
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mpok1519

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Don't you realise? Dad doesn't need any evidence - if there's no evidence it DIDN'T happen - it may as well have!

That's just dad's crazy world.
then why does anyon even reply to his threads?

why even pay attention to something so stupid? Why pay attention to something thats trying to demean and diminish you? Why pay attention to something that has no intention other than to destroy truth?
 
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FishFace

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then why does anyon even reply to his threads?

why even pay attention to something so stupid? Why pay attention to something thats trying to demean and diminish you? Why pay attention to something that has no intention other than to destroy truth?

Meh.

Ask thaumaturgy, he'll have a better answer!
 
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thaumaturgy

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then why does anyon even reply to his threads?

why even pay attention to something so stupid? Why pay attention to something thats trying to demean and diminish you? Why pay attention to something that has no intention other than to destroy truth?

I believe Adivi, in invoking Asimov said it best:

Because I'm learning about axiomatic set theory in the process, and I enjoy debating with people. To quote Asimov: "An exoheresy [a belief contrary to the mainstream originating outside of science] may cause scientists to bestir themselves for the purpose of reexamining the bases of their beliefs, even if only to gather firm and logical reasons for the rejection of the exoheresy-and that is good too."

Obviously in this case, Dad is unaware of the actual details that he's debating or debating against, but in a sense this thread alone is a good example of a chance to learn.

I've learned about "Figurative Numbers" from Fishface.

No one can learn anything from Dad, per se, he has little to teach, and even the interesting philosophical issues he raises (for instance, The Problem of Induction) he so poorly understands he can't really teach anything about it (besides Dad constantly resorts to special pleading in denying scientists knowledge from deduction or extrapolation to the unseen, he never seems to be bothered by doing that for his own hypotheses).

What Dad does do is present the challenge of "what if someone is a strict empiricist and comes up to you to ask you how you know what you know?"

It's an exercise of going back through your fundamentals and pulling all the old data you have scattered around your world back together in a nice tidy pile.

In pulling all this together, in justifying why we even talk to Dad, I find myself constantly re-investigating the philosophy classes I took back in undergrad 20 years ago! Learning and re-learning the information. It inspires me to set aside more time and commit to reading some Karl Popper (I am a scientist after all, so I should learn this stuff!)
 
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