Recent content by dune

Do you understand what is intrinsic to you? I don't understand what is intrinsic to me. My consciousness tells me that I am aware of my being, but it doesn't tell me how or why. If consciousness is fundamental, and it is intrinsically able to observe what is intrinsic to itself, then I think we...

Isn't it true that a thing's properties can only observed in relation to other things? Therefore, both intrinsic and extrinsic properties would appear the same to us -- ie they both manifest themselves in behavior towards other things. And since all of our means of perception are relational, we...

intrinsic, extrinsic, both or neither? Properties at the fundamental level must then be atleast extrinsic and maybe also intrinsic. One can only study the behavior of something in relation to another thing. Whether this behavior is the result of an intrinsic property of the thing or whether...

Thanks for the reference, Canute. I'll look into it. As you could probably tell, I'm not a philospher by training -- just have an inquisitive mind...:smile:

I suppose I should select my words more carefully. Let's forget about God for the moment. Whatever form the "theory of everything" might end up taking (strings, quantum loops -whatever) and supposing we're clever enough to find it, is it even possible that it could explain how fundamental...

Here's one... A book has a mass of say 0.2 kg, it's red, and burns at a certain temperature. Its properties can be explained by its constituent molucular make-up. Water molecules have a pH of 7. Its enthalpy of fusion is 6 kJ/mole, etc, etc. These properties can be explained by its two...

I agree. Beliefs, moods, psychological health all affect the chemical balances in the brain and body. What is a belief? It isn't a "ghost" thought that dwells in a fifth dimension or other world. It is a physical phenomenon - primarily electrical impulses as are all other less sublime thoughts...

...but, isn't it possible that each thought in your brain is the result of stimuli from your present experience of the world filtered and moderated by your memory (which is the accumulation of all past experiences and thoughts)?

chance, free will and miracles Determinism (or not) seems to hinge on the existence of chance, free will, and miracles. This thread has rightfully focused on the chance and free will components. (who has witnessed a miracle??) Also, it seems that some have argued that QM introduces an...

...Jackle, you must admit though, that the mere existence of the penal system is certainly an "input" or stimulus to the brain, which does affect our actions. As a determinist, I would argue that each of my actions is based on (i) stimuli in the present (or very recent past) and (ii) the...