Re: Determinism

Jerry LR Chandler (jlrchand@EROLS.COM)
Wed, 7 Apr 1999 11:38:15 -0500


John J. Kineman wrote:
>. All evidence strongly suggests that continuous time (and space) is a
> myth (with no evidence to the contrary) - or more kindly, that space-time
> continuity is a unique world-view that is a simplification of reality.

I experience the continuity of space and time every day, all day.
Hence, the arguments you present are virtually meaningless to my
consciousness. I am equally skeptical about the logic of the assertions
stated.

IMHO, Any belief that that space or time are discontinous is based on
conceptualization.

IMHO, a flaw is believing that space and time have "thingedness" to
them.
Only with "thingedness" can one make a distinction in space and time.

IMHO, a serious flaw in believing that space and time are discontinuous
is reliance on mathematical representations at scales remote from my
personal expereince and attempting to scale - upward over many orders of
magnitude in a simple homogeneous way. Are you applying Noether's
theorem to life? Or to ecological systems? What is the justification
for the scaling rules?

IMHO, a very serious flaw in believing that space and time are
discontinuous is the belief that any mere physical particle can be an
accurate metaphysical basis for reality.

Cheers

Jerry LR Chandler

PS: Mario - Nice post!!