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To: Alamo-Girl; MHGinTN; TXnMA; YHAOS; marron; xzins; Kevmo
...[A] choice event whether quantum or classical (choosing a taco over a hamburger for lunch) — does not necessarily collapse the apparent other paths, e.g. the hamburger choice. At least in Everett's theory all choices were made and the consequences exist some where/when.

Well at least in the where/when of Everett's mind, according to his chosen measure.

Yet just from the practical standpoint, I wonder: What is the meaning of saying a "choosing event" manifests the collapse of a path [a pretty de rigeur observation for quantum mechanics] ; but that all other paths are just as feasible (just not chosen yet, not "selected"), and exist altogether in some other multidimensional spacetime? And therefore are not accessible to us, just as would-be "unselected quantum events" are not knowable to/by us human observers? [Because we weren't observing them, we have nothing to say about them at all. At least, that appears to be Niels Bohr's view.]

That's pretty interesting. But what does this insight do to the human moral sense, which depends on the foundational idea that all human choices have actual consequences, for good or ill? The entire idea of Justice — human, but most especially divine Justice, which is the measure of human justice — depends on people agreeing about human actions having real and direct consequences. For which they are personally responsible and accountable to others.

This is a really tough question and I certainly don't know all of the answers. So I am deeply grateful for the insights from my dear sisters and brothers in Christ and all people of goodwill.

[Plato had a few good ideas on this topic. But he is rather out of fashion these days....]

Especially let me thank you now, dearest sister in Christ, for your splendid, luminous essay/post!

236 posted on 05/19/2013 4:35:08 PM PDT by betty boop (We are led to believe a lie when we see with, and not through the eye. — William Blake)
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To: betty boop
Thank you so very much for your encouragements and insights, dearest sister in Christ!

And please do bring any appropriate insights from Plato - I find ancient wisdom to be particularly illuminating considering what was knowable to them and that they were not subject to the "noise" of the modern world.

But what does this insight do to the human moral sense, which depends on the foundational idea that all human choices have actual consequences, for good or ill? The entire idea of Justice — human, but most especially divine Justice, which is the measure of human justice — depends on people agreeing about human actions having real and direct consequences. For which they are personally responsible and accountable to others.

Indeed. That is why I mentioned the Great White Throne Judgment. If all of the "what ifs" become known or knowable to us at that time, then we would deeply comprehend the consequences of our poor choices in life.

I believe that would be the most piercing and painful judgment of all for me, not only knowing the bad choices I made but how they hurt others.

To God be the glory, not man, never man!

237 posted on 05/19/2013 7:51:22 PM PDT by Alamo-Girl
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