AlexW wrote: ↑Thu Feb 21, 2019 3:53 am
In a way... Problem is that the universe / the system is not finite and thus there is no way to pinpoint a state A or even to calculate what state B will be like a millisecond later.
If the universe is infinite then none of our tools for understanding it are ANY good.
Quantum physics is moving further and further from any local hidden variable explanations.
Can you even begin to reason about instant causality across an infinite universe?
Probability theory fails utterly and dismally because p-values are non-sensical in an infinite decision-space. Any "statistically significant" pattern is incidental not coincidental. It would be a waste of time to even attempt to understand it. Admit defeat, grab a beer and enjoy your remaining time in this mind-fuck-verse.
I am a bounded rationalist. Again - human value/desire. The universe MAY be infinite (in which case we are fucked) so I really hope it's finite.
AlexW wrote: ↑Thu Feb 21, 2019 3:53 am
Yes, we can do that to a certain degree by artificially limiting the size of the system so we can predict what happens next, but, while this is how science works, it is not how the whole/universe works.
See above. If the universe is NOT a finite/closed system - drinking beer is far better use of our time than discussing it.
AlexW wrote: ↑Thu Feb 21, 2019 3:53 am
There is a chance, however slim, that in the next second earth will be pulverised by some cosmic event (or whatever) and with it all science goes down the drain.
Naturally. So we are better off not-putting all our eggs in one basket called Earth. It's kinda hard getting off this planet though...
AlexW wrote: ↑Thu Feb 21, 2019 3:53 am
I am not saying that scientific calculation/approximation via cutting the infinite into virtual slices is useless - it obviously works for many applications - but we are ultimately on the wrong track...
If the universe is infinite - there is no right track. Unless... infinite universe means infinite energy. in which case - as soon as we become deities. We can build anything to our liking! Because - infinite/cheap/free energy!
AlexW wrote: ↑Thu Feb 21, 2019 3:53 am
The result is a belief in determinism.
I don't understand how you use the phrase "belief in X". If determinism is a human value. Then to say "I believe in determinism" is the same as saying "I value determinism". I want determinism. I strive and work towards determinism.
But then ....I believe in God.... I value God... I want God. I strive and work towards God.
I believe in Truth. I value Truth. I want Truth. I strive and work towards Truth.
Something doesn't fit.
Or it does fit IF Truth and God are both human values, not ontological notions.
After all absolute determinism requires omnipresence, omniscience and omnipotence. e.g it requires us to becomes gods.
AlexW wrote: ↑Thu Feb 21, 2019 3:53 am
What happens might be what you (the blackbox) expect, but this is only so because you analyse the result from an extremely limited perspective.
Do you have a less limited perspective to analyze it from? If not - this line of reasoning is pointless.
AlexW wrote: ↑Thu Feb 21, 2019 3:53 am
It's really all only a matter of perspective:
The human perspective is all we have.
AlexW wrote: ↑Thu Feb 21, 2019 3:53 am
When you look AS thought you will see only what you want to see (or rather: what has been put into the black box) - eg determinism, a self in control etc etc
When you look AT thought you will see the full picture, truth, reality. You can look at the black box from the outside and see of how little importance it actually is.
That is ridiculous simply because you imply to have transcended your own humanity. You haven't. It's still a human perspective. Only one devoid of any value.
And then? Abandon all hopes, dreams, desires and love for mankind?
If that is what your transcendental perspective leads to - then I don't want it.
I have been in the Total Perspective Vortex. Having seen the full picture - truth, reality and all - it strikes me pertinently obvious that we, humans are the only entity in the entire universe that cares about what does or doesn't happen next.
Creationism is about creating. Not about being created.