Re: this very moment

From: Alastair Malcolm <amalcolm.domain.name.hidden>
Date: Sat, 13 May 2000 17:10:53 +0100

----- Original Message -----
From: Scott D. Yelich <scott.domain.name.hidden>
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> So, if we all have our own ideas of what everything is -- how
> do we proceed with discussions on this list?

One way is to try to establish common ground. For example, many people agree
that 'everything' should only include that which is logically possible (so
round squares are excluded). If this is agreed, then it is reasonable to
suppose, as at least a first approximation, that each entity or world that
exists should be formally describable in some way, in principle.

One can then build from there. For example, one can apply formal systems to
record these descriptions. Note that this still permits worlds that include
all manner of gods, demons, topologies, and philosophical dualisms such as
separate mental and physical realms. The fascinating thing is that it turns
out that there are strong indications that although there are many worlds
where such features/entities exist, we are not in one of them.

Alastair
Received on Sat May 13 2000 - 09:17:30 PDT