The rules of physics and nature of reality change all the time. Does
matter obey rules, as in obedience? What functionality is there to cause
that? What is inherent in any physical thing which causes it to do what
it is supposed to do? This view is one of both faith and authority. It
is faith in physical laws, that they are true, and belief in the
authority of those laws as if the universe is ruled by them.
An alternative model is one of logical probabilities. For anything we
know, there exists the chance we will be wrong, however minute that
chance is. Certainty then is a special class of probability. Depending
on context we may allow 95% certainty to stand for certainty. Maybe the
situation demands 99.95%. Fuzzy logic scenarios may only demand 40% or
less.
We do not have laws. We have observations which have been meticulously
written down. There is no guarantee anything will emulate past
observation. Al we can do is say it probably will.
>From: Samantha Atkins <samantha@objectent.com>
>Date: Wed, 29 Aug 2001 00:49:04 -0700
>
>"David G. McDivitt" wrote:
>>
>> Yes you can change the way gravity acts on your body depending on which
>> theoretical construct. People do it all the time. People at one time did
>> not think it was possible to fly. Once shown they could some thought it
>> was against nature or evil. An airplane defies gravity. There is no
>> other explanation for it.
>>
>> Granted, while sitting in the seat one still experiences gravity, so
>> your argument may be gravity has not been really overcome, but that was
>> not the context of your original statement. You asked if a person could
>> change the way gravity acts on the body by changing views. Yes, because
>> if people did not think it was possible to fly, or defy gravity, it
>> would never have been attempted.
>
>I imagine you are more than intelligent enough to know this is a
>silly game having nothing to do with the intent of the
>question. The intent was to point out that the rules of
>physics, the nature of reality, does not change just because our
>understanding of and beliefs about it change. That we attempt
>different things depending on our beliefs about what is possible
>is irrelevant to that intent.
>
>>
>> Why do you say the nonrealist position is subjective? That doesn't make
>> much sense. Realism is built solely on the premise of a priori or steady
>> state truth statements. That means when one enters into analytical
>> reasoning, a criterium is already established with respect to the
>> result, that it be "real". Seems to me realism is much more subjective
>> and you have it backwards.
>>
>
>
>It seems to me you play pointless and worthless games at best.
-- http://www.geocities.com/dmcdivitt_________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com
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