An effort to solve Zeno's motion Paradoxes

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around Zeno's motion paradoxes, exploring various interpretations and resolutions of these philosophical puzzles. Participants examine the implications of discrete versus continuous models of space and time, and how these assumptions affect the understanding of Zeno's arguments.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose substituting pixel-like points for geometric points to resolve Zeno's paradoxes, suggesting that movement occurs as "jumps."
  • Others argue that Zeno's paradoxes are not true paradoxes, asserting that Zeno was simply mistaken about the nature of motion and infinity.
  • A participant contends that Zeno understood the infinite series but believed it would take an infinite amount of time to complete the addition, thus maintaining that the paradox stands unless spacetime is assumed to be continuous.
  • Another viewpoint suggests that Zeno's assumptions about space being infinitely divisible and time being atomic lead to contradictions, particularly when considering the crossing of segments in motion.
  • One participant outlines four famous paradoxes by Zeno, emphasizing that each generates different puzzles based on the discrete or continuous nature of space and time.
  • Some participants challenge the categorization of the paradoxes, arguing that certain assumptions lead to illogical rather than paradoxical conclusions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express multiple competing views regarding the nature of Zeno's paradoxes and whether they can be resolved through different assumptions about space and time. The discussion remains unresolved, with no consensus on the validity of the paradoxes or the proposed solutions.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the dependence on definitions of space and time, and the unresolved nature of assumptions regarding their continuity or discreteness. The discussion reflects a variety of interpretations and challenges to Zeno's original arguments.

  • #91
Hmm, do you know the 'The Jewel Net of Indra'?
 
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  • #92
Originally posted by UltraPi1
You might find this a little nutso, but I think the whole purpose of the universe is to count (create) the finite empty spaces of an infinite space. This process is ongoing and will take forever to complete. Keep in mind that I consider existence to be purely conceptual. There are no physical entities. They only come across to you as being that way.
So your existence is a hodge podge of conceptually discrete empty spaces, and each space acts in accordance with our known physical (conceptual) laws.
Nothing, well written, in a philosophy forum, should be considered "nutso", especailly not the expression, simply, of idea/concepts/and/or/thoughts...so don't worry bout that..

It begs metaphysical, inasmuch as, resolving the Idea of 'Infinite', with existence, requires understanding(s) like; "In an infinity, the center can be everywhere!" as 'material existence' and 'Infinite' seem incompatable otherwise...but Xenos is a play 'tween Theory of math (language of math) and perception(s) of reality...

In a singular 'empty space' you could count to x ? Infinity? (absurdity) the number of "empty spaces" (non-existant) you could find, in there, then, A'la Xeno, when you think you have gotten them all, halve the space that that amount of numbers 'occupies', and keep counting!

(has the absurdity become clear to you, in that example?)
 

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