If you read it, comment on it. This is an order straight from the TOP, hear?
Srsly. I'm lonely and stuff.
Feb 26, 2007
Feb 23, 2007
A special 'Cheers'
For Twisted, the first anonymous Interwebbar to visit this here site.
/e clinks champagne glass
/e clinks champagne glass
On Causality, Free Will, And The Existence of God.
I wrote the following essay over the last 2 hours or so, for admission to a debate forum. I hope you find it interesting.
-Josh
--
I believe that, without an omnipotent creative force known to us as 'God', there can be no free will.
I have heard touted countless times, the moralistic atheist argument that the existence of God automatically throws out any possibility of such a thing as free will in living creatures. I believe this to be false, and will focus on why at the second half of this essay. For now, I shall concentrate upon the deterministic argument.
1. Every event has a cause.
2. Human thought is an event.
3. Therefore, human thought is merely an effect, brought about due to some kind of cause.
At the beginning of the universe, there was an 'initial' set of 'conditions'. This was at the very beginning, mind- precisely zero time had elapsed between the universe coming to exist and the current moment.
These conditions had a truly massive amount of variables. Here are a few:
1. The mass of individual particles
2. The positioning of individual particles
3. The chemical and physical properties of individual particles
4. The orientation, speed, and acceleration of individual particles.
5. The gravitational constant.
6. The Weak and Strong nuclear constants.
7. The electromagnetic constant.
Everything has a cause. Something so basic as a basketball, for example, cannot act 'of its own volition'. Assume for this hypothetical situation, that the ball has just bounced off of a concrete sidewalk. This is an event, which we can trace back to a set of hypothetical conditions.
1. The basketball has been dropped from a height, and therefore accelerates towards the earth.
2. The basketball is constructed of an elastic material.
3. Therefore, the basketball bounces when it impacts the concrete.
Suppose we can trace it back further. Allow me to construct a hypothetical chain of logical events.
-Johnny dropped the basketball.
-Johnny was practicing his basketball skills.
-A boy named Johnny purchased the ball from a nearby sports store.
-The sports store purchased a shipment of basketballs from a factory.
-A sports factory in Minnesota produces several shipments of basketballs.
-A sports factory in Minnesota imports a large quantity of rubber from Brazil.
-Some rubber was harvested and processed in Brazil
-Rubber trees grow in Brazil
-The soil and other conditions in Brazil were favorable for rubber trees to grow.
-Minerals favorable for rubber trees collected in the Brazil area.
-The Earth was formed due to the effects of gravity.
-Nebular gases collected and swirled around the Sun.
-Gases were ejected from the the origin of the universe at incredible speeds.
-The universe came into existence.
Instead of following the chain of events leading to the creation of the ball, one could likewise follow the chain of events leading to the creation of Johnny. You would come to the same place- the origin of the universe.
You could trace any event on this planet, or in the universe, back to the origin of the universe through an infinite series of cause-and-effect events. These events are all intertwined, as every single event has an effect on an infinite number of other events- creating a 'web', if you will; of events that reaches throughout all three dimensions and Time.
A popular argument which may, at first glance, deflate one's enthusiasm for the deterministic viewpoint, stems from quantum physics.
Namely, the fact that in the subatomic world, particles move seemingly at random. In addition to this, there are mathematical equations which support the existence of 'virtual particles'- tiny matter and antimatter pairs of particles which spring into existence and suddenly annhilate each other. These particles may, in fact, have a direct impact on our minds and therefore our 'wills'.
I think it makes little difference, one way or the other. Firstly- I don't see how anything can be truly random. Probability (as a force, of sorts) most likely does not exist- it's merely a human notion stemming from Chaos Theory. Secondly, who's rolling the dice?
Finally, 'random will' does not equate to 'free will'.
So, I believe that there can be no free will without God.
This argument presupposes that the universe had a beginning, and is not infinitely existing. That is, however, a different topic for a different time.
--
Now, what if such a thing as 'God' should exist? Can there be free will in that scenario?
I believe so.
For the sake of argument, I shall be assuming the existence of the Christian God.
My argument in this scenario can be simply put as follows:
1. God created the universe.
2. God is therefore outside the universe by nature. Except, naturally, for the occasional act of will. A man can enter and exit a house that he built at will.
3. God can therefore bring events into the universe from without, and vice versa. Likewise, a man can move his furniture into and out of his household.
4. Human thought is an event.
5. It is conceivable, therefore, that human thought (and the 'soul') is outside of the universe; and can act of its own volition.
Remember that, for this scenario, we are presupposing the existence of God- that is, therefore; not in question.
The primary objection which atheists and even theists produce towards this is as follows:
1. God can see an infinite distance into the future.
2. God sees each of our acts and choices before it occurs.
3. Therefore, there is no free will.
To this, I offer several objections.
- The conclusion doesn't logically follow from the (presupposed) facts. God observing an act doesn't make it any less one's own act.
- It is entirely plausible that such a God would voluntarily limit His divine attributes in this regard. There is a precedent, set by the 'Incarnation'.
- Due to God being outside of the universe; and therefore time time, there is no reason for reverse causality not to come into play.
Reverse causality (in this context) is a purely philisophical concept. Simply put:
1: I cough.
2: God therefore sees that cough all the way back throughought eternity.
While this seems odd, take a look at the alternative notion:
1. God sees me cough at a specific point in time.
2. Therefore, I cough.
Physicists are beginning to believe that time is not linear. Time travel may be plausible, if not possible with our technology. It has been conclusively proven that time is, at the very least, 'bendable'. It does not proceed at the same rate at every location. If we, as humans, are aware of this unique property of time, why may we restrict God to a linear timeline?
How, and why, should an act of observation be the root cause of an act of will? I think that it cannot. A crude analogy would be that of a boy coming home from school. He knows that his dog will come running to the gate to greet him upon his arrival.
The dog does so.
---
In summary, I believe that there can be no such thing as 'free will' in the absence of God. Thank you for your time.
---
-Josh
--
I believe that, without an omnipotent creative force known to us as 'God', there can be no free will.
I have heard touted countless times, the moralistic atheist argument that the existence of God automatically throws out any possibility of such a thing as free will in living creatures. I believe this to be false, and will focus on why at the second half of this essay. For now, I shall concentrate upon the deterministic argument.
1. Every event has a cause.
2. Human thought is an event.
3. Therefore, human thought is merely an effect, brought about due to some kind of cause.
At the beginning of the universe, there was an 'initial' set of 'conditions'. This was at the very beginning, mind- precisely zero time had elapsed between the universe coming to exist and the current moment.
These conditions had a truly massive amount of variables. Here are a few:
1. The mass of individual particles
2. The positioning of individual particles
3. The chemical and physical properties of individual particles
4. The orientation, speed, and acceleration of individual particles.
5. The gravitational constant.
6. The Weak and Strong nuclear constants.
7. The electromagnetic constant.
Everything has a cause. Something so basic as a basketball, for example, cannot act 'of its own volition'. Assume for this hypothetical situation, that the ball has just bounced off of a concrete sidewalk. This is an event, which we can trace back to a set of hypothetical conditions.
1. The basketball has been dropped from a height, and therefore accelerates towards the earth.
2. The basketball is constructed of an elastic material.
3. Therefore, the basketball bounces when it impacts the concrete.
Suppose we can trace it back further. Allow me to construct a hypothetical chain of logical events.
-Johnny dropped the basketball.
-Johnny was practicing his basketball skills.
-A boy named Johnny purchased the ball from a nearby sports store.
-The sports store purchased a shipment of basketballs from a factory.
-A sports factory in Minnesota produces several shipments of basketballs.
-A sports factory in Minnesota imports a large quantity of rubber from Brazil.
-Some rubber was harvested and processed in Brazil
-Rubber trees grow in Brazil
-The soil and other conditions in Brazil were favorable for rubber trees to grow.
-Minerals favorable for rubber trees collected in the Brazil area.
-The Earth was formed due to the effects of gravity.
-Nebular gases collected and swirled around the Sun.
-Gases were ejected from the the origin of the universe at incredible speeds.
-The universe came into existence.
Instead of following the chain of events leading to the creation of the ball, one could likewise follow the chain of events leading to the creation of Johnny. You would come to the same place- the origin of the universe.
You could trace any event on this planet, or in the universe, back to the origin of the universe through an infinite series of cause-and-effect events. These events are all intertwined, as every single event has an effect on an infinite number of other events- creating a 'web', if you will; of events that reaches throughout all three dimensions and Time.
A popular argument which may, at first glance, deflate one's enthusiasm for the deterministic viewpoint, stems from quantum physics.
Namely, the fact that in the subatomic world, particles move seemingly at random. In addition to this, there are mathematical equations which support the existence of 'virtual particles'- tiny matter and antimatter pairs of particles which spring into existence and suddenly annhilate each other. These particles may, in fact, have a direct impact on our minds and therefore our 'wills'.
I think it makes little difference, one way or the other. Firstly- I don't see how anything can be truly random. Probability (as a force, of sorts) most likely does not exist- it's merely a human notion stemming from Chaos Theory. Secondly, who's rolling the dice?
Finally, 'random will' does not equate to 'free will'.
So, I believe that there can be no free will without God.
This argument presupposes that the universe had a beginning, and is not infinitely existing. That is, however, a different topic for a different time.
--
Now, what if such a thing as 'God' should exist? Can there be free will in that scenario?
I believe so.
For the sake of argument, I shall be assuming the existence of the Christian God.
My argument in this scenario can be simply put as follows:
1. God created the universe.
2. God is therefore outside the universe by nature. Except, naturally, for the occasional act of will. A man can enter and exit a house that he built at will.
3. God can therefore bring events into the universe from without, and vice versa. Likewise, a man can move his furniture into and out of his household.
4. Human thought is an event.
5. It is conceivable, therefore, that human thought (and the 'soul') is outside of the universe; and can act of its own volition.
Remember that, for this scenario, we are presupposing the existence of God- that is, therefore; not in question.
The primary objection which atheists and even theists produce towards this is as follows:
1. God can see an infinite distance into the future.
2. God sees each of our acts and choices before it occurs.
3. Therefore, there is no free will.
To this, I offer several objections.
- The conclusion doesn't logically follow from the (presupposed) facts. God observing an act doesn't make it any less one's own act.
- It is entirely plausible that such a God would voluntarily limit His divine attributes in this regard. There is a precedent, set by the 'Incarnation'.
- Due to God being outside of the universe; and therefore time time, there is no reason for reverse causality not to come into play.
Reverse causality (in this context) is a purely philisophical concept. Simply put:
1: I cough.
2: God therefore sees that cough all the way back throughought eternity.
While this seems odd, take a look at the alternative notion:
1. God sees me cough at a specific point in time.
2. Therefore, I cough.
Physicists are beginning to believe that time is not linear. Time travel may be plausible, if not possible with our technology. It has been conclusively proven that time is, at the very least, 'bendable'. It does not proceed at the same rate at every location. If we, as humans, are aware of this unique property of time, why may we restrict God to a linear timeline?
How, and why, should an act of observation be the root cause of an act of will? I think that it cannot. A crude analogy would be that of a boy coming home from school. He knows that his dog will come running to the gate to greet him upon his arrival.
The dog does so.
---
In summary, I believe that there can be no such thing as 'free will' in the absence of God. Thank you for your time.
---
Feb 20, 2007
The Twelve Tenets of Sexy Parties: A Charter of Awesome
1. BYOB. Bring Your Own B___ - notice the interpretation necessary. Suggested items:
Booze
Bombs
Beer
Battleships
Berets
Boats
Boligrafos (Pens. Hah.)
Bears
Bottles
2. Thou shalt not be a homophobe. When James asks you for a dance, you roll with it.
2a. Thou shalt bring a camera to capture such moments.
3. Macho posturing is ALWAYS funny, as long as nobody takes it too seriously.
4. Thou shalt not frown, unless obviously in jest. This invites stabbings from vigilantes with glowing plastic swords.
5. If fighting breaks out, the party is no longer sexy. Offenders are to be thrown out, off of a roof not less than twenty (20) feet above cement-level.
6. No pirate or ninja wannabes. If somebody dressed as a pirate or ninja somehow manages to get in despite this rule, they're obviously the real deal and shall not be disturbed.
7. Thou shalt not complain about the ambient music, odor, or food.
8. (SUBSECTION: STRIP POKER)
In the inevitable game of Strip Poker which is bound to happen at any good sexy party, the following rules must be adhered to.
a. First and foremost,Myself, and one otherwise-anonymous character whose name begins with a C must be present and participating.
b. Texas Holdem must be played, unless I am ill or otherwise unable to attend.
c. All extraneous rules, chip values, etcetera, must be determined in a fair manner beforehand.
d. The game will be played in a gentlemanly and honorable manner- abide by the rules.
e. I shall always win.
9. There shall be no watching of movies at sexy parties- that's no fun.
10. Any and all bathroom breaks shall be taken at the facility farthest from the action, if at all possible. Show some consideration, please.
11. If it sounds stupid, try it anyways, so the rest of us can laugh.
12. What happens at the party stays at the party.
13. I'm awesome.
Booze
Bombs
Beer
Battleships
Berets
Boats
Boligrafos (Pens. Hah.)
Bears
Bottles
2. Thou shalt not be a homophobe. When James asks you for a dance, you roll with it.
2a. Thou shalt bring a camera to capture such moments.
3. Macho posturing is ALWAYS funny, as long as nobody takes it too seriously.
4. Thou shalt not frown, unless obviously in jest. This invites stabbings from vigilantes with glowing plastic swords.
5. If fighting breaks out, the party is no longer sexy. Offenders are to be thrown out, off of a roof not less than twenty (20) feet above cement-level.
6. No pirate or ninja wannabes. If somebody dressed as a pirate or ninja somehow manages to get in despite this rule, they're obviously the real deal and shall not be disturbed.
7. Thou shalt not complain about the ambient music, odor, or food.
8. (SUBSECTION: STRIP POKER)
In the inevitable game of Strip Poker which is bound to happen at any good sexy party, the following rules must be adhered to.
a. First and foremost,Myself, and one otherwise-anonymous character whose name begins with a C must be present and participating.
b. Texas Holdem must be played, unless I am ill or otherwise unable to attend.
c. All extraneous rules, chip values, etcetera, must be determined in a fair manner beforehand.
d. The game will be played in a gentlemanly and honorable manner- abide by the rules.
e. I shall always win.
9. There shall be no watching of movies at sexy parties- that's no fun.
10. Any and all bathroom breaks shall be taken at the facility farthest from the action, if at all possible. Show some consideration, please.
11. If it sounds stupid, try it anyways, so the rest of us can laugh.
12. What happens at the party stays at the party.
13. I'm awesome.
Memory Verse!
I think I'm going to start doing this on a daily basis. Forgive me, Stina. :o
This one, however, is pure classic.
FORTY TWO
This one, however, is pure classic.
FORTY TWO
Dreams
Erm, holy crap. Either I need to stop eating chili and cheese right before bed, or not sleep in until 10 in the morning.
It's scary stuff- and so real at the time. I'm not sure which came first, but two rather creepy dreams from last night stick in my mind.
Dream 1: Jungle Boy
Factoid 1. I've never read the Lord of the Flies.
Factoid 2. I have no fantasies of being some sort of half-naked Mowgli warrior traipsing through the jungle, fighting (or, in my case, running for my life) against Evil, Inc, who evidently wishes to enslave 'my people'- whom I've never met before.
Factoid 3. I was glad when I woke up.
Dream 2: Florence Nightingale
This is honestly probably the wierdest dream I've ever had. Ever. Not merely because of the situation portayed within, but because it had a moral.
Once again, I was fleeing. From what, I don't know-it was more in the vague sense that 'someone was coming'. This time I wasn't alone. For whatever reason, my subconcious picked a female friend of mine to accompany me on my journey.
We were at some pivotal plot point, about to confront the bad guy or whatever- and she was suddenly hit by a stroke. Or something. Anyways, I suddenly had a sidekick to help myself and my now-unconcious comrade to safety.
The rest of the dream was spent trying to get this unfortunate girl to some sort of medical facility, alive. For whatever reason, she was suddenly fine- but more attacks were imminent- and I was petrified for her life. Without a doubt, one of the most terrifying things I've ever experienced.
I seem to recall playing paramedic on a helicopter at some point in all of this. It's rather fuzzy.
ANYHOW,
We're not terribly close, but I think I'm going to give that friendship some more respect than I have thus far. I'm definately shaken, to say the least.
It's scary stuff- and so real at the time. I'm not sure which came first, but two rather creepy dreams from last night stick in my mind.
Dream 1: Jungle Boy
Factoid 1. I've never read the Lord of the Flies.
Factoid 2. I have no fantasies of being some sort of half-naked Mowgli warrior traipsing through the jungle, fighting (or, in my case, running for my life) against Evil, Inc, who evidently wishes to enslave 'my people'- whom I've never met before.
Factoid 3. I was glad when I woke up.
Dream 2: Florence Nightingale
This is honestly probably the wierdest dream I've ever had. Ever. Not merely because of the situation portayed within, but because it had a moral.
Once again, I was fleeing. From what, I don't know-it was more in the vague sense that 'someone was coming'. This time I wasn't alone. For whatever reason, my subconcious picked a female friend of mine to accompany me on my journey.
We were at some pivotal plot point, about to confront the bad guy or whatever- and she was suddenly hit by a stroke. Or something. Anyways, I suddenly had a sidekick to help myself and my now-unconcious comrade to safety.
The rest of the dream was spent trying to get this unfortunate girl to some sort of medical facility, alive. For whatever reason, she was suddenly fine- but more attacks were imminent- and I was petrified for her life. Without a doubt, one of the most terrifying things I've ever experienced.
I seem to recall playing paramedic on a helicopter at some point in all of this. It's rather fuzzy.
ANYHOW,
We're not terribly close, but I think I'm going to give that friendship some more respect than I have thus far. I'm definately shaken, to say the least.
Feb 19, 2007
Past Bedtime
As you may have gathered from the title, I should be long asleep by now. It's now technically Monday morning, and I'm loving it.
I'm up at the computer writing this, as dear Mum and Dad are downstairs having a sexy party with I-know-not-who... what's not to love? Every second week must be taken off from here on out. By everyone.
Thy Overlord commands it.
..Totally not going to get any sleep tonight.
I'm up at the computer writing this, as dear Mum and Dad are downstairs having a sexy party with I-know-not-who... what's not to love? Every second week must be taken off from here on out. By everyone.
Thy Overlord commands it.
..Totally not going to get any sleep tonight.
Feb 18, 2007
Mmm, Homicidal Tendencies
Yesterday was a rather interesting day for me, quite possibly for the singular reason that:
(Drumroll, please.)
I got enough sleep.
I don't know why. It seems funny now, actually. From what I recall; I spent most of the day in a haze of vague desire to push the collective unwashed masses of humanity over Head-Smashed-In-Buffalo-Jump.
I don't know what's stranger- that that's an actual Midwest American landmark, or the urge to carpet-bomb the nearest bustling metropolis with Molotovs.
It didn't help my sportsmanship skills, to say the least. After about the eighteenth time that my dear friend Cory sniped me from across Coagulation with that fuzzy and lovable Battle Rifle, I had collapsed into a veritable heap of self-doubt.
Then I found the rocket launcher. Oh, ye sweet, delicious irony.
Online poker was a misadventure, to say the least. I now know the meaning of playing on tilt.
My bankroll must've doubled. Hah, good old Big Slick.
(Drumroll, please.)
I got enough sleep.
I don't know why. It seems funny now, actually. From what I recall; I spent most of the day in a haze of vague desire to push the collective unwashed masses of humanity over Head-Smashed-In-Buffalo-Jump.
I don't know what's stranger- that that's an actual Midwest American landmark, or the urge to carpet-bomb the nearest bustling metropolis with Molotovs.
It didn't help my sportsmanship skills, to say the least. After about the eighteenth time that my dear friend Cory sniped me from across Coagulation with that fuzzy and lovable Battle Rifle, I had collapsed into a veritable heap of self-doubt.
Then I found the rocket launcher. Oh, ye sweet, delicious irony.
Online poker was a misadventure, to say the least. I now know the meaning of playing on tilt.
My bankroll must've doubled. Hah, good old Big Slick.
Feb 17, 2007
Wil Wheaton is my hero.
http://www.tvsquad.com/bloggers/wil-wheaton/
If you have not seen this yet, may God have mercy on your soul.
Seriously.
Though Trekkies (Who're you looking at?) will undoubtedly find this countless times more hilarious, it's still a great read. Wesley was such a dick, though; I'm not sure Wheaton himself is much better.
You. Go. Now.
If you have not seen this yet, may God have mercy on your soul.
Seriously.
Though Trekkies (Who're you looking at?) will undoubtedly find this countless times more hilarious, it's still a great read. Wesley was such a dick, though; I'm not sure Wheaton himself is much better.
You. Go. Now.
Feb 16, 2007
The Joys of Website Design for Dummies
Indeed, I broke down and did it. I made a blog. Let there be dancing, celebration, and the sacrifice of a half-dozen virgins in the streets!
For those of you that don't care- don't post. Thy apathy is greeted with mine own: Like it or get out.
For those of you that DO care (Read: one not-entirely-fuzzy Claire-Bear), feel free to shower me with hugs and kisses. Your wish is my command.
As you may have surmised, this blog shall not, save on the rare occasion, actually feature happy bunnies or sunshine. Call it an exercise in anonymously striking back at the world. Read on a regular basis at your own risk.
School's out for a week, so I naturally can't be as pissed off as I would like to be for the purpose of this blog. For shame.
It'll come.
For those of you that don't care- don't post. Thy apathy is greeted with mine own: Like it or get out.
For those of you that DO care (Read: one not-entirely-fuzzy Claire-Bear), feel free to shower me with hugs and kisses. Your wish is my command.
As you may have surmised, this blog shall not, save on the rare occasion, actually feature happy bunnies or sunshine. Call it an exercise in anonymously striking back at the world. Read on a regular basis at your own risk.
School's out for a week, so I naturally can't be as pissed off as I would like to be for the purpose of this blog. For shame.
It'll come.
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