williams@kirk.DEC (John Williams 223-3402) (03/07/85)
I don't know how many times I have brought up the topic of resolution. Equally, I don't know exactly how many times the discussion in net.philosophy has drifted into free will vs. determinism. So, once again, I will explain. Resolution states that there are absolute attributes to reality. It also states that there is no such thing as a direct observation. All indirect observations are made relative to the observer, and that to observe absolute reality more accurately, you must minimize your influence from the observation. Modifications to the model of the universe that you use in the simulation of reality in your mind are made when you are better able to accurately perceive phenomenon. More accurate observations are made when you have a more accurate model, ad infinitum. This is complicated by the fact that most people are able to alter their observations to fit their own preclusions. Free will and Determinism are merely complimentary parts of the same thing, resolution. The complimentary part of resolution is entropy. The universe is a bound, finite, black hole that is only broken through external influence. Our point of observation in the universe, or for that matter, the larger universe ( a universe containing universes? ) is privileged only in that these space time coordinates provide the environment that is a close enough combination of variables that allows the chemical reactions to take place that support an observer. That is, we are able to view a window of space-time as it has always been, and will always continue to be. The stochastic nature in the universe is an illusion, yet it provides one of the most useful tools for understanding it, and helps to develop a model of reality that has greater resolution. Now, I wait for you. You will find me very difficult to argue with, but you are certainly allowed to at least try. ----{ john williams }---- ABSOLUTE + RELATIVE = RESOLUTE ( I know, it's a gimmick, but it's a neat coincidence, wouldn't you say )