On 6/22/2016 10:54 PM, Jason Resch wrote:
On Wed, Jun 22, 2016 at 8:01 PM, Bruce Kellett
<bhkell...@optusnet.com.au <mailto:bhkell...@optusnet.com.au>> wrote:
On 23/06/2016 3:04 am, Bruno Marchal wrote:
On 21 Jun 2016, at 04:08, Bruce Kellett wrote:
On 21/06/2016 3:14 am, Bruno Marchal wrote:
On 20 Jun 2016, at 04:00, Bruce Kellett wrote:
On 20/06/2016 4:09 am, Brent Meeker wrote:
The alternative, which Bruno actually suggested once but
disowns, is for explanations to form a "virtuous circle" in
which everything is explained in terms of other things
ultimately forming loops: NUMBERS -> "MACHINE DREAMS" ->
PHYSICAL -> HUMANS -> PHYSICS -> NUMBERS I call this
"virtuously circular" if it is comprehensive so that
everything is somewhere in the circle.
The thing about such a loop is that you can start at any point
-- for instance, PHYSICAL, HUMANS, PHYSICS, or anywhere else.
The question then is whether this actually achieves you anything?
Just stop on the simplest theory.
"Simple" is an undefined term. You might think the integers are
simple, I might think that physics is simple. No-one is right in
any absolute sense.
Why? We can define a theory to be simpler than another if it has
less assumptions.
The primary criterion for the adequacy of a theory is that the
theory be consistent with the data. Simplicity is at best a
secondary consideration, and then largely in the eye of the
beholder, or the way in which the theory is formulated. It is like
the choice of a coordinate system for astronomy -- the calculation
of the trajectory for an earth-moon mission is extremely difficult
in a coordinate system centred on one of the moons of mars but
quite simple in the coordinate system centred on the earth. But
the physics is the same whatever the coordinate system.
"Simplicity" is a loaded word, a word that should be avoided.
When two theories have equal explanatory power, but one has added
assumptions, the theory with fewer assumptions is preferred.
Ig you can explain QM and consciousness from elementary
arithmetic, you make a gain compared to starting from
physicalist QM, which assumes Matter, QM (and thus arithmetic,
as QM already assumes arithmetic).
Well, you should formalize your theory so that we can at least
compare.
My theory is that the external objective physical world exists,
independently of you or me, or even of consciousness.
Consciousness is a property of certain forms of matter, and
matter achieves those forms, and hence consciousness, by the
process of evolution.
OK. So your theory asks for an ontological commitment in some
Nature or Matter, being independent of us.
And your theory requires an ontological commitment to the
existence of the integers. You don't actually have fewer
ontological assumptions. Who said that the integers are simpler
than nature? A number theorist might not agree! Note that the
ontology is the integers, not some set of axioms. Axioms are
statements that are true of the pre-existing integers, axioms are
not ontological statements.
The electron is a mathematical object. It has a quantum state that
consists of complex/real numbers, bits, etc. To assume the electron is
to bring with it the assumption of all the math necessary to describe
it (which is a lot):
The /*theory*/ of the electron is a mathematical object, plus an
interpretation. If the electron were the mathematical object then it
would make no sense to say we have tested the theory. We can only test
the theory because it describes and predicts what electrons will do. A
test can show the description to be wrong.
Brent
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