For the discussion of all things philosophical, especially articles in the magazine Philosophy Now.
https://forum.philosophynow.org/
In the Mathematical Universe? Nothing. Mathematics doesn't concern itself with the limits of reality.commonsense wrote: ↑Tue Nov 26, 2019 4:19 pm May I ask what stops dt from becoming zero? If limited, how can it also be without limitation? How can it be defined as indefinite?
You should think about dt->0 as being the smallest number that is greater than Zero. It is the very definition of dt->0 that stops it from being Zero. You will never be able to fully conceive of such a thing but this is what it is.commonsense wrote: ↑Tue Nov 26, 2019 4:19 pm May I ask what stops dt from becoming zero? If limited, how can it also be without limitation? How can it be defined as indefinite?
Thanks. This is an excellent explanation.Skepdick wrote: ↑Tue Nov 26, 2019 5:48 pmIn the Mathematical Universe? Nothing. Mathematics doesn't concern itself with the limits of reality.commonsense wrote: ↑Tue Nov 26, 2019 4:19 pm May I ask what stops dt from becoming zero? If limited, how can it also be without limitation? How can it be defined as indefinite?
In this Universe? Planck's constant
Nothing could be truer. Thanks for putting this into perspective for me. Of course, it is the indefinite definition that gives me the most trouble. The definition is the very thing that makes the infinitesimal indefinite.SteveKlinko wrote: ↑Tue Nov 26, 2019 6:27 pm It is the very definition of dt->0 that stops it from being Zero. You will never be able to fully conceive of such a thing but this is what it is.
Yes it is. Just want to add that as dt->0 then 1/dt->00 and 1/dt is stopped from being Infinity because dt is stopped from being Zero.commonsense wrote: ↑Tue Nov 26, 2019 8:02 pmNothing could be truer. Thanks for putting this into perspective for me. Of course, it is the indefinite definition that gives me the most trouble. The definition is the very thing that makes the infinitesimal indefinite.SteveKlinko wrote: ↑Tue Nov 26, 2019 6:27 pm It is the very definition of dt->0 that stops it from being Zero. You will never be able to fully conceive of such a thing but this is what it is.
dt could be, zero, something which is neither zero nor non-zero so-called infinitesimal, and finally finite. All events coincide on the same point if dt=0 (unless the number of events is infinite since 0*infinity could be finite). dt cannot be equal to zero since our reality doesn't look like this. dt cannot be infinitesimal since a number is either non-zero or zero. dt cannot be finite too since the reality doesn't look discrete. So we are left with the case inside parents!SteveKlinko wrote: ↑Tue Nov 26, 2019 12:22 pmBut dt cannot ever be exactly zero because of the absurdities we have been discussing. Mathematicians talk about the way dt approaches Zero, but not the way dt becomes Zero.
We need what ever it is that we have, else we wouldn’t have it.
The appendix is obsolete. Eyebrows are not necessary. 1 kidney can do the work of 2.SpheresOfBalance wrote: ↑Wed Nov 27, 2019 2:29 amWe need what ever it is that we have, else we wouldn’t have it.
There is a difference between being optimally functional and able to survive. Technically we can get by without legs, but you don’t see many people opting to amputate. Eyebrows serve an important function of expression and communication. Sure, we can text each other, but you wouldn’t go ripping out your voice box in a hurry.commonsense wrote: ↑Wed Nov 27, 2019 5:09 pmThe appendix is obsolete. Eyebrows are not necessary. 1 kidney can do the work of 2.SpheresOfBalance wrote: ↑Wed Nov 27, 2019 2:29 amWe need what ever it is that we have, else we wouldn’t have it.
I’m just saying we don’t need whatever we have. Thank you for correcting me about eyebrows.SpheresOfBalance wrote: ↑Wed Nov 27, 2019 2:29 am
There is a difference between being optimally functional and able to survive. Technically we can get by without legs, but you don’t see many people opting to amputate. Eyebrows serve an important function of expression and communication. Sure, we can text each other, but you wouldn’t go ripping out your voice box in a hurry.
I won't speak as to what we need, but -- in context -- I damn well need consciousness. Without it I wouldn't be me (which is a pretty grand thing to be).commonsense wrote: ↑Wed Nov 27, 2019 10:21 pmI’m just saying we don’t need whatever we have. Thank you for correcting me about eyebrows.SpheresOfBalance wrote: ↑Wed Nov 27, 2019 2:29 am
There is a difference between being optimally functional and able to survive. Technically we can get by without legs, but you don’t see many people opting to amputate. Eyebrows serve an important function of expression and communication. Sure, we can text each other, but you wouldn’t go ripping out your voice box in a hurry.
But the important thing with all this is that taking a Discrete Time axis and letting dt->0 does not give you a Continuous Time axis because of the absurdities when dt=0. The reality is that letting dt->0 might approach a Continuous Time axis and is an approximation of a Continuous Time axis, but it never really becomes a Continuous Time axis. A Continuous Time axis is something different than a Discrete Time axis.bahman wrote: ↑Tue Nov 26, 2019 10:12 pmdt could be, zero, something which is neither zero nor non-zero so-called infinitesimal, and finally finite. All events coincide on the same point if dt=0 (unless the number of events is infinite since 0*infinity could be finite). dt cannot be equal to zero since our reality doesn't look like this. dt cannot be infinitesimal since a number is either non-zero or zero. dt cannot be finite too since the reality doesn't look discrete. So we are left with the case inside parents!SteveKlinko wrote: ↑Tue Nov 26, 2019 12:22 pmBut dt cannot ever be exactly zero because of the absurdities we have been discussing. Mathematicians talk about the way dt approaches Zero, but not the way dt becomes Zero.
It's the Mathematical distinction between the Integers and the Real Numbers.SteveKlinko wrote: ↑Thu Nov 28, 2019 2:44 pm A Continuous Time axis is something different than a Discrete Time axis.
To deny evolution, thus time is ridiculous.commonsense wrote: ↑Wed Nov 27, 2019 5:09 pmThe appendix is obsolete. Eyebrows are not necessary. 1 kidney can do the work of 2.SpheresOfBalance wrote: ↑Wed Nov 27, 2019 2:29 amWe need what ever it is that we have, else we wouldn’t have it.