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Author Topic:   A Simplified Proof That The Universe Cannot Be Explained
Hyroglyphx
Inactive Member


Message 189 of 342 (784729)
05-22-2016 6:38 AM
Reply to: Message 15 by nano
05-15-2016 6:37 PM


Logically, the first thing can have no explanation. Since its the first thing there is nothing else to explain it. 2nd things and beyond can certainly be explained by the things that came before.
Not sure your logic follows. Just because something is yet to be sufficiently explained does not mean it cannot ever be explained. In an Infinite Regression model, you could say the creation of this universe was precipitated by the destruction of a previous one ad infinitum.

"Reason obeys itself; and ignorance submits to whatever is dictated to it" -- Thomas Paine

This message is a reply to:
 Message 15 by nano, posted 05-15-2016 6:37 PM nano has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 204 by nano, posted 05-22-2016 4:45 PM Hyroglyphx has replied

  
Hyroglyphx
Inactive Member


Message 208 of 342 (784779)
05-23-2016 4:31 AM
Reply to: Message 204 by nano
05-22-2016 4:45 PM


In general, arguments from ignorance are very weak but infinite regression is interesting. However, isn't it really the same as a causal loop and therefore illogical? At any rate it would be "the thing that has always been there" and therefore could not be explained.
Well, I would absolutely agree that it is a weak argument because it lacks a definitive explanation and, moreover, infinite regression is simply delaying the problem the First Cause imposes. In that case it would seem that if all things are temporal, at least something about the properties of the universe is either infinite or exists outside of the time-space continuum. This is usually where a God-of-the-Gaps argument comes in to play for religious people. But this too lacks any definitive explanation which still leaves us scratching our heads both scientifically and philosophically.

"Reason obeys itself; and ignorance submits to whatever is dictated to it" -- Thomas Paine

This message is a reply to:
 Message 204 by nano, posted 05-22-2016 4:45 PM nano has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 211 by nano, posted 05-23-2016 5:05 PM Hyroglyphx has not replied

  
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