Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: js1138; Consort; Alamo-Girl; Phaedrus
Anything that can be studied is pretty much by definition physical. Anything that is beyond study and experiment is pretty much in the realm of faith.

I have strong doubts about this, js1138. If one studies the laws of nature, is one studying something "physical?" What about mathematical reasoning -- is doing math "physical?" Or are these things exercises of faith?

103 posted on 08/04/2003 7:49:19 AM PDT by betty boop (We can have either human dignity or unfettered liberty, but not both. -- Dean Clancy)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 73 | View Replies ]


To: betty boop
What about mathematical reasoning -- is doing math "physical?"

That's a subject of debate. We probably have a better record of the history of math than any other kind if history, but aside from counting, math is pretty self-referential. It is true because we manipulate the axioms and operators to make it true. Rather the ultimate tautology.

That's my opinion. I admit to being over my head here, so I'm going to bail out of the discussion at this point.

Check out my links, and if you get the opportunity, check out some of the work being done in cognitive neuroscience. I don't see how you can write a book about consciousness without studying what science has learned about it.

107 posted on 08/04/2003 8:12:41 AM PDT by js1138
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 103 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson