1,855 research outputs found
New remarks on the Cosmological Argument
We present a formal analysis of the Cosmological Argument in its two main
forms: that due to Aquinas, and the revised version of the Kalam Cosmological
Argument more recently advocated by William Lane Craig. We formulate these two
arguments in such a way that each conclusion follows in first-order logic from
the corresponding assumptions. Our analysis shows that the conclusion which
follows for Aquinas is considerably weaker than what his aims demand. With
formalizations that are logically valid in hand, we reinterpret the natural
language versions of the premises and conclusions in terms of concepts of
causality consistent with (and used in) recent work in cosmology done by
physicists. In brief: the Kalam argument commits the fallacy of equivocation in
a way that seems beyond repair; two of the premises adopted by Aquinas seem
dubious when the terms `cause' and `causality' are interpreted in the context
of contemporary empirical science. Thus, while there are no problems with
whether the conclusions follow logically from their assumptions, the Kalam
argument is not viable, and the Aquinas argument does not imply a caused
origination of the universe. The assumptions of the latter are at best less
than obvious relative to recent work in the sciences. We conclude with mention
of a new argument that makes some positive modifications to an alternative
variation on Aquinas by Le Poidevin, which nonetheless seems rather weak.Comment: 12 pages, accepted for publication in International Journal for
Philosophy of Religio
Causality re-established
Causality never gained the status of a "law" or "principle" in physics. Some
recent literature even popularized the false idea that causality is a notion
that should be banned from theory. Such misconception relies on an alleged
universality of reversibility of laws of physics, based either on determinism
of classical theory, or on the multiverse interpretation of quantum theory, in
both cases motivated by mere interpretational requirements for realism of the
theory. Here, I will show that a properly defined unambiguous notion of
causality is a theorem of quantum theory, which is also a falsifiable
proposition of the theory. Such causality notion appeared in the literature
within the framework of operational probabilistic theories. It is a genuinely
theoretical notion, corresponding to establish a definite partial order among
events, in the same way as we do by using the future causal cone on Minkowski
space. The causality notion is logically completely independent of the
misidentified concept of "determinism", and, being a consequence of quantum
theory, is ubiquitous in physics. In addition, as classical theory can be
regarded as a restriction of quantum theory, causality holds also in the
classical case, although the determinism of the theory trivializes it. I then
conclude arguing that causality naturally establishes an arrow of time. This
implies that the scenario of the "Block Universe" and the connected "Past
Hypothesis" are incompatible with causality, and thus with quantum theory: they
both are doomed to remain mere interpretations and, as such, not falsifiable,
similar to the hypothesis of "super-determinism". This article is part of a
discussion meeting issue "Foundations of quantum mechanics and their impact on
contemporary society".Comment: Presented at the Royal Society of London, on 11/12/ 2017, at the
conference "Foundations of quantum mechanics and their impact on contemporary
society". To appear on Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society
Juan Pablo II y las Conferencias episcopales: comuniĂłn y colegialidad
John Paul II has presented the Bishopsâ Conference both in his large teaching about bishopâs ministry and his legislative role. In his genuine teaching about that, Pope using precise theological and legal terms, strengthen the theological and juridical nature of the Bishopsâ Conferences. In this article a detailed analysis is made of the first fifteen years of teaching of the Pope John Paul II about the Episcopal Conferences communion and collegiality. The main sources of this paper are Apostolic Letter Apostolos Suos, that clarifies the theological and legal nature of Bishopsâ Conferences, and Directory for the Pastoral Ministry of Bishops Apostolorum Successores, which refers to Bishopsâ Conferences as instruments of communion in the Church and alive expression of bishop collegiality at the extent that it is their responsibility.John Paul II has presented the Bishopsâ Conference both in his large teaching about bishopâs ministry and his legislative role. In his genuine teaching about that, Pope using precise theological and legal terms, strengthen the theological and juridical nature of the Bishopsâ Conferences. In this article a detailed analysis is made of the first fifteen years of teaching of the Pope John Paul II about the Episcopal Conferences communion and collegiality. The main sources of this paper are Apostolic Letter Apostolos Suos, that clarifies the theological and legal nature of Bishopsâ Conferences, and Directory for the Pastoral Ministry of Bishops Apostolorum Successores, which refers to Bishopsâ Conferences as instruments of communion in the Church and alive expression of bishop collegiality at the extent that it is their responsibility
Exact Philosophy of Space-Time
Starting from Bunge's (1977) scientific ontology, we expose a materialistic
relational theory of space-time, that carries out the program initiated by
Leibniz, and provides a protophysical basis consistent with any rigorous
formulation of General Relativity. Space-time is constructed from general
concepts which are common to any consistent scientific theory and they are
interpreted as emergent properties of the greatest assembly of things, namely,
the world.Comment: 13 pages, 3 figures. Version compatible with the published one. arXiv
admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:gr-qc/971006
High-Resolution Imaging of Texture and Microstructure by the Moving Detector Method
In order to describe texture and microstructure of a polycrystalline material completely, crystal orientation g={?1F?2} must be known in all points x={x1?x2?x3} of the material. This can be achieved by locationresolved diffraction of high-energy, i.e. short-wave, X-rays from synchrotron sources. Highest resolution in the orientation- as well as the location-coordinates can be achieved by three variants of a detector sweeping technique in which an area detector is continuously moved during exposure. This technique results in two-dimensionally continuous images which are sections and projections of the six-dimensional orientation location space. Further evaluation of these images depends on whether individual grains are resolved in them or not. Because of the high penetration depth of high-energy synchrotron radiation in matter, this technique is also, and particularly, suitable for the investigation of the interior of big samples.researc
Parmenides reloaded
I argue for a four dimensional, non-dynamical view of space-time, where
becoming is not an intrinsic property of reality. This view has many features
in common with the Parmenidean conception of the universe. I discuss some
recent objections to this position and I offer a comparison of the Parmenidean
space-time with an interpretation of Heraclitus' thought that presents no major
antagonism.Comment: 11 pages, accepted for publication in Foundations of Scienc
Quantum Ontologies and Mind-Matter Synthesis
Aspects of a quantum mechanical theory of a world containing efficacious
mental aspects that are closely tied to brains, but that are not identical to
brains.Comment: 69 pages. Invited contribution to Xth Max Born Symposium: "Quantum
Future". Published in "Quantum Future", eds. P. Blanchard and A. Jadczyk,
Springer-Verlag, 1999, ISBN 3-540-65218-3. LBNL 4072
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