Nothing

[Received]

What is nothing? It's clearly both what it specifies (the negation of something), but also, well, something, given that it refers to something we have a concept for. A negation of something is still something, just a different type of something -- not a *physical* something, but a what? A metaphorical something? An abstract something?

Or something.

 

[keith99]

Nothing is powerful!

Or at least so says Screwtape.

 

[Davian]

Is it possible for there to be nothing?

 

[Received]

Is it possible for there to be nothing?

Dunno. Maybe nothingness is just an abstraction for something that doesn't really physically mean anything.

 

[Paradoxum]

What is nothing? It's clearly both what it specifies (the negation of something), but also, well, something, given that it refers to something we have a concept for. A negation of something is still something, just a different type of something -- not a *physical* something, but a what? A metaphorical something? An abstract something?

Or something.

I'm not sure how you mean the word 'something' here. If you mean 'nothing' is something in that it is a state, category, or type, then I would agree. On the other hand if you mean 'nothing' has some sort of substance or essence to it then I would disagree. 'Nothing' is just a label, the state it refers to isn't a something. It has and contains no existence or being. (Sorry for using so many alternative words. I wasn't sure which were the best to express the idea).

Perhaps it is useful to have more than concept of 'nothing'. If you suck all the matter out of a container it might be fair to say that there is nothing in the container. This could be called 'relative nothing'.

True nothing could be called 'absolute nothing'. Here there would be no space or time, matter or energy, spirits or gods. Nothing could be said to exist.

 

[twinc]

I'm not sure how you mean the word 'something' here. If you mean 'nothing' is something in that it is a state, category, or type, then I would agree. On the other hand if you mean 'nothing' has some sort of substance or essence to it then I would disagree. 'Nothing' is just a label, the state it refers to isn't a something. It has and contains no existence or being. (Sorry for using so many alternative words. I wasn't sure which were the best to express the idea).

Perhaps it is useful to have more than concept of 'nothing'. If you suck all the matter out of a container it might be fair to say that there is nothing in the container. This could be called 'relative nothing'.

True nothing could be called 'absolute nothing'. Here there would be no space or time, matter or energy, spirits or gods. Nothing could be said to exist.

The Big Bang was nothing compared to God who is no thing and so something and everything - twinc

 

[quatona]

What is nothing? It's clearly both what it specifies (the negation of something), but also, well, something, given that it refers to something we have a concept for. A negation of something is still something, just a different type of something -- not a *physical* something, but a what? A metaphorical something? An abstract something?

Or something.

Seriously, Received, recently I am increasingly getting the impression that you feel reality is determined by words. That does not really help the quality of your thoughts, friend.

What we mean when saying "nothing" is determined by the context of our statement (i.e. "not anything that is regarded relevant in this context".. If the statement containing the word "nothing" is supposed to be void of any context "nothing" doesn´t refer to anything.
"Nothing", in and of itself, is not even a concept - even less does it refer to anything.

A negation of something is still something

While a negation itself is indeed something (i.e. a negation) that doesn´t mean that its meant to refers to anything. As a claim about "something" surely does. Apples and oranges.

 

[juvenissun]

What is nothing? It's clearly both what it specifies (the negation of something), but also, well, something, given that it refers to something we have a concept for. A negation of something is still something, just a different type of something -- not a *physical* something, but a what? A metaphorical something? An abstract something?

Or something.

Very good question. Imagine there were no space and no time. That is the real nothing.

Even so, there is still something: God.

 

[Davian]

Very good question. Imagine there were no space and no time. That is the real nothing.

Even so, there is still something: God.

And how is this "God" distinguishable from "nothing"?

 

[Gottservant]

Nothing is a set of relationships, that leads nowhere.

 

[Gottservant]

And how is this "God" distinguishable from "nothing"?

God is a set of relationships, that leads somewhere.

 

[Davian]

God is a set of relationships, that leads somewhere.

As useful as this answer:

"Knowledge meditates on unparalleled facts"

Random Deepak Chopra Quote Generator - Wisdom of Chopra

Do you have anything of substance?

 

[Eudaimonist]

A negation of something is still something, just a different type of something

Let's retain the distinction between concept and referent. Are you asking what the referent of "nothing" is? Or what the concept is?

"Nothing" may be viewed as a concept without an existing, or even a possibly existing, referent. I agree with quatona to an extent that it might not even be a concept at all, since it doesn't really have a definition of its own so much as a negation of one (nothing is not-something or no-thing). Whatever one might want to call it (concept or not), it doesn't refer to just another kind of something. It negates the very possibility of a referent.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[twinc]

Let's retain the distinction between concept and referent. Are you asking what the referent of "nothing" is? Or what the concept is?

"Nothing" may be viewed as a concept without an existing, or even a possibly existing, referent. I agree with quatona to an extent that it might not even be a concept at all, since it doesn't really have a definition of its own so much as a negation of one (nothing is not-something or no-thing). Whatever one might want to call it (concept or not), it doesn't refer to just another kind of something. It negates the very possibility of a referent.


eudaimonia,

Mark

you mean its like kinda exactly the same only different - twinc

 

[brightlights]

I am not sure that there is such a thing as nothing proper, but nothing is a relatively useful term.

"What's in your bank account?"
"Nothing!"
"Bummer."

We've communicated real information here.

 

[pjnlsn]

God is a set of relationships, that leads somewhere.

Yes, but the 'relationships' which take place in your head don't translate into there being an anthropomorphic entity with abstract abilities.

 

[juvenissun]

And how is this "God" distinguishable from "nothing"?

God creates.
Then there is something, for example, time.

 

[pjnlsn]

God creates.
Then there is something, for example, time.

He probably means, how is "God' distinguishable from nothing, in terms of likelihoods of claims, based on empirical evidence or two things which are directly equivalent.

 

[Gottservant]

As useful as this answer:

"Knowledge meditates on unparalleled facts"

Random Deepak Chopra Quote Generator - Wisdom of Chopra

Do you have anything of substance?

Substance dictates the appetite, it does not rule the mind.

"God exists as precious happiness"

Random Deepak Chopra Quote Generator - Wisdom of Chopra

Just because you have not found Wisdom, that speaks to you, does not mean, your life is not governed by relationships that it describes.

 

[Gottservant]

Yes, but the 'relationships' which take place in your head don't translate into there being an anthropomorphic entity with abstract abilities.

A fool says to himself, I will take what is God's and make dross of it.