sher (01/08/83)
From: David.Sher
I thought that this letter was of sufficient complexity to be of
interest to the net so I am forwarding it with some comments by me.
Letter:
The real universe... what a term! First, can anyone ever hope to know
of a real universe at all?--When you consider that each of us is more
or less stuck in his own SUBJECTIVE viewpoint, it seems difficult to
really see a truly objective universe at all.However,given that it's
possible to see beyond our own view of the world, what is there left?
Some say that each person has his own world- so that when he dies,
the universe ceases to exist.So the whole world is just a figment
of my imagination.So far as I know, it's impossible to disprove this.
That seems to be a bit unreasonable, not to mention self-centered.
Perhaps I've a better-try this on for size. Could it be that there is
only physical reality? That the only REAL things are the rocks and trees
and sky? Because all intelligence is abstract,the only real things are
things themselves? The entire process of intelligence is real only
in the physical manifestations one can measure. The electrons and
enzymes which make up the physical parts of our thinking process are the
only real aspects; the abstract thoughts which they represent do not.
Our brains can be organising impulses in neural paths, but the information
that they represent doesn't really exist.
Must log off now; more later.
(For want of a better monicker)Yyz.
This letter was complex enough to be a real response but I detect a
faint note of sarcasm so I will respond to it as a real response but
not in the detail that such a state really deserves.
I agree that one can never really know what anything beyond our
perceptions but the existence of an objective universe is a device we
use to describe certain properties that seem to be independent of our
internal state (or perhaps the property of being perceived in the same
way regardless of internal state is the essence of what we mean by
objective.) As far as the two alternate philosophies presented try
this one as a third. Consider the universe from a functional stand
point. What do we gain by participating in it. One major thing we can
do using the universe is furfil needs such as hunger and thirst. These
needs however are created by our participation. One thing the universe
does for us however is to create an opportunity for us to communicate
among ourselves. Or consider it from the reverse point of view.
Assume several intellectual entities exist and wish to communicate.
Then they must agree on a set of standards for communication. The
universe can be considered as such a set.
Now in response to those who think that the questions I raised had
something to do with AI: I thought I avoided AI in my list (I work in
the field so it may have polluted my thoughts).
Sorry for this rather messy letter I've been hacking distributed
databases far too long this week.
-David Sher