God and the Argument from Consciousness: A Response to Lim

Recently, Daniel Lim has published a thoughtful critique of one form of my argument for the existence of God from consciousness (hereafter, AC).1 After stating his presentation of the relevant contours of my argument, I shall present the main components of his critique, followed by my response. Since one purpose of my publications of AC has been to foster discussion about a neglected argument for God’s existence, I am thankful to lim for his interesting article and the chance to further the discussion

Dense molecular clumps in the envelope of the yellow hypergiant IRC+10420

The circumstellar envelope of the hypergiant star IRC+10420 has been traced as far out in SiO J=2-1 as in CO J = 1-0 and CO J = 2-1, in dramatic contrast with the centrally condensed (thermal) SiO- but extended CO-emitting envelopes of giant and supergiant stars. Here, we present an observation of the circumstellar envelope in SiO J=1-0 that, when combined with the previous observation in {\sioii}, provide more stringent constraints on the density of the SiO-emitting gas than hitherto possible. The emission in SiO peaks at a radius of $\sim$2\arcsec\ whereas that in SiO J=2-1 emission peaks at a smaller radius of $\sim$1\arcsec, giving rise to their ring-like appearances. The ratio in brightness temperature between SiO J=1-0 and SiO J=2-1 decreases from a value well above unity at the innermost measurable radius to about unity at radius of $\sim$2\arcsec, beyond which this ratio remains approximately constant. Dividing the envelope into three zones as in models for the CO J = 1-0 and CO J = 2-1 emission, we show that the density of the SiO-emitting gas is comparable with that of the CO-emitting gas in the inner zone, but at least an order of magnitude higher by comparison in both the middle and outer zones. The SiO-emitting gas therefore originates from dense clumps, likely associated with the dust clumps seen in scattered optical light, surrounded by more diffuse CO-emitting interclump gas. We suggest that SiO molecules are released from dust grains due to shock interactions between the dense SiO-emitting clumps and the diffuse CO-emitting interclump gas.Comment: Accepted for publication in Ap

Zombies, Epiphenomenalism and Personal Explanations: A Tension in Moreland's Argument from Consciousness

In his so-called argument from consciousness (AC), J. P. Moreland argues that the phenomenon of consciousness furnishes us with evidence for the existence of God. In defending AC, however, Moreland makes claims that generate an undesirable tension. This tension can be posed as a dilemma based on the contingency of the correlation between mental and physical states. The correlation of mental and physical states is either contingent or necessary. If the correlation is contingent then epiphenomenalism is true. If the correlation is necessary then a theistic explanation for the correlation is forfeit. Both are unwelcome results for A

Phosphate sorption by active acid sulfate soils of Peninsular Malaysia

Phosphate sorption data of four soil samples representing two soil series (Sedu and lawa Series; both Typic Sulfaquepts) from Peninsular Malaysia were described by the Langmuir II sorption model. Lim Chin, Raja Muda and Kuala Linggi soils represent Sedu series, while the soil sample from Serkat represent Jawa Series. The phosphate sorbed by the four soil samples conformed to the Langmuir II adsorption isotherm. Lim Chin and Raja Muda estate soils have r values of 0.98 and 0.99, respectively, while Serkat and Kuala Linggi soils have r values of 0.96 and 0.95, respectively. Phosphate adsorption maxima and buffer capacities were higher in the Sedu soils (Lim Chin and Raja Muda Estate) than in Jawa (Serkat) and the Sedu soil (Kuala Linggi). Liming of the Sedu Soil (Raja Muda Estate) and Jawa soil (Serkat) at 1 t ha- I reduced phosphate sorbed by 3.1 and 13.1 percent, respectively. Rates greater than 2 t ha-J of lime increased the P sorptive capacities of the soils

Multiple positive solutions of a Sturm-Liouville boundary value problem with conflicting nonlinearities

We study the second order nonlinear differential equation \begin{equation*} u"+ \sum_{i=1}^{m} \alpha_{i} a_{i}(x)g_{i}(u) - \sum_{j=0}^{m+1} \beta_{j} b_{j}(x)k_{j}(u) = 0, \end{equation*} where $\alpha_{i},\beta_{j}>0$, $a_{i}(x), b_{j}(x)$ are non-negative Lebesgue integrable functions defined in $\mathopen{[}0,L\mathclose{]}$, and the nonlinearities $g_{i}(s), k_{j}(s)$ are continuous, positive and satisfy suitable growth conditions, as to cover the classical superlinear equation $u"+a(x)u^{p}=0$, with $p>1$. When the positive parameters $\beta_{j}$ are sufficiently large, we prove the existence of at least $2^{m}-1$ positive solutions for the Sturm-Liouville boundary value problems associated with the equation. The proof is based on the Leray-Schauder topological degree for locally compact operators on open and possibly unbounded sets. Finally, we deal with radially symmetric positive solutions for the Dirichlet problems associated with elliptic PDEs.Comment: 23 pages, 6 PNG figure