C. S. Lewis had trouble distinguishing between an algebraic variable and a constant

[tonychanyt]

In The Problem of Pain, he wrote:

Suppose that I have a toothache of intensity x: and suppose that you, who are seated beside me, also begin to have a toothache of intensity x. You may, if you choose, say that the total amount of pain in the room is now 2x.

Suppose Lewis has a toothache of intensity quantified as k_1; x is a variable; k_1 is a specific number, a constant.

Now, suppose that you also have a toothache of intensity k_2.

The total amount of pain is k_1 + k_2. If k_1 = k_2 = k, then the total amount of pain is 2k.

We don't have to solve for k; k is a given constant, not a variable.

Lewis continued:

search all time and all space and you will not find that composite pain in anyone's consciousness.

Agreed, but he should have used a symbol like k for a constant and not used x as a variable. Using x could serve his philosophical argument but cause confusion for readers who interpret it mathematically.

You may think that I am being pedantic. I will tell you what actually happened: When I was reading the above, I had trouble understanding what Lewis was trying to say. If x was a variable, it didn't click for me that the x for Lewis and the x for me were identical. I experienced cognitive dissonance, and it took me a couple of minutes to realize that he wasn't talking about a variable but a constant. Then I understood his point.

 

[Mark Quayle]

In The Problem of Pain, he wrote:


Suppose Lewis has a toothache of intensity quantified as i; x is a variable, i is a specific number, a constant.

Now, suppose that you also have a toothache of equal intensity i.

The total amount of pain is 2i. We don't have to solve for i; i is a given constant. If we have x instead, we should solve for x, i.e., find out what x equals to.

I suppose I'd have to look into his context a bit. I have no idea what you are on about, lol.

If you add all the pain and sadness in the world, it isn't likely to add up to worse than what the most miserable one feels. I.e., it doesn't add.

 

[tonychanyt]

I suppose I'd have to look into his context a bit. I have no idea what you are on about, lol.

My point is about the technical usage of math variables and constants.

If you add all the pain and sadness in the world, it isn't likely to add up to worse than what the most miserable one feels. I.e., it doesn't add.

Right. That's a different point which I agree with Lewis. He should have used the symbol i instead of x

 

[Mark Quayle]

My point is about the technical usage of math variables and constants.

Right. That's a different point which I agree with Lewis. He should have used the symbol i instead of x

It is a false equivalence, of sorts, in my book. The sort of thing Christians do a lot of.

Reminds me of a fellow teaching sunday school, saying that a Christian cannot be demon-possessed, since a Christian is already inhabited by the Holy Spirit. I say, you can't know that, because the spiritual does not operate by our physical principles. (Not to mention that the witness of more than one person would show him to be wrong, but that's another story).

 

[Aaron112]

Scripture says clearly avoid silly chatter.

 

[PloverWing]

Suppose Lewis has a toothache of intensity quantified as i; x is a variable, i is a specific number, a constant.

Now, suppose that you also have a toothache of equal intensity i.

The total amount of pain is 2i. We don't have to solve for i; i is a given constant. If we have x instead, we should solve for x, i.e., find out what x equals to.

Why does it matter whether we say "Let x be the intensity of pain" or "Let i be the intensity of pain"?

Also, I don't see that it matters to Lewis' argument whether x is a constant or a variable -- whether or not my toothache pain is changing over time. He's talking about the pain being experienced at a particular moment, and discussing whether two people's pain is additive. (Lewis says it isn't.)

 

[tonychanyt]

Why does it matter whether we say "Let x be the intensity of pain" or "Let i be the intensity of pain"?

Lewis wasn't using the proper math terminology/language to prove his point.

 

[tonychanyt]

Reminds me of a fellow teaching sunday school, saying that a Christian cannot be demon-possessed, since a Christian is already inhabited by the Holy Spirit. I say, you can't know that, because the spiritual does not operate by our physical principles.

See Demon oppression vs possession and follow up there