williams@kirk.DEC (John Williams 223-3402) (08/15/84)
>> The concept of proof depends upon the concepts of cause and effect, among >> other things. > This is simply not true. The notion of logical proof involves implication > relationships between discrete statements in discourse. This is an agreed > upon rule of the game. Causality assumes implication relationships between > discrete events in the world. The universe may or may not argue like a > philosopher, and it is not always clear what constitutes a "discrete" event. A discrete event is an individual sample. A change that has taken place within defined time boundaries. The concept of proof implies an accurate model in which you define the conditions, and are able to observe the results. Logical proof is performed only in a logical system. Cause and effect can be observed in this system. I do not consider it nessesary to seperate the meaning of cause and effect to define only the phenomenon observed in the physical system universe. On the contrary, I believe that this expression is useful in describing the sequential nature of systems. In discussing reality, we must be careful not to get stuck in the loopholes inherent in systematic language. Your definitions simply do not coincide. As for games: there are toys, tools, and weapons. It's not what they are, it's how you use them. Resolving reality must include a willingness to yield. You have no way of permanently enforcing your rules. You can only modulate your concious in order to respond. If someone said the earth was flat, how would I know that he didn't mean round? ``everyone knows that'' would be a likely response, and one could SAFELY assume that that fellow was in error. When someone says that cause and effect do not apply to systems other than the physical universe, and then try to argue them out of existance, I can't help but feel that the vocabulary is somehow getting smaller. < resolution, the pattern begins > (DEC E-NET) KIRK::WILLIAMS (UUCP) {decvax, ucbvax, allegra}!decwrl!dec-rhea!dec-kirk!williams (ARPA) williams%kirk.DEC@decwrl.ARPA williams%kirk.DEC@Purdue-Merlin.ARPA