Is It Rational to Equate Possibility with Probability?

[Drakkith]

Alright, am I the only one that hates discussing if something is "Possible"? In effect, you can say that anything is possible because you can never 100% prove that something is impossible. (I can't 100% gurantee that gravity won't turn off tomorrow, I just have no reason to believe it because we've never observed it happen and have no reason to think it will.)

To me, anything is "Possible", but very few things are "Probable". (Compared to what's Possible, since you can never say that something is 100% impossible)

I get into arguments with my roomate all the time and his argument always boils down to him saying "Well, anythings possible". It almost infuriates me. My view is that when someone tells me "Its POSSIBLE that a meteor will land on your head in 30 seconds", I like to reply with "Only if the meteor is already there heading for me."

Obviously my view is that if it's not there, it's not going to land on my head. We just don't know if it is there, hence the "It's possible" view.

Does anyone else feel this way or does anyone think I am being "close minded" or something?

 

[Danger]

I still contend that it is impossible to teach a snake to tap-dance, but otherwise I agree with you.

 

[G037H3]

I still contend that it is impossible to teach a snake to tap-dance, but otherwise I agree with you.

Doesn't seem impossible to me...tail coiled in one shoe, neck looped through the laces of another...add an electric volt and *clatter clatter*

doesn't sound very good...hum

 

[Drakkith]

I still contend that it is impossible to teach a snake to tap-dance, but otherwise I agree with you.

Ha, got to love the Danger replies. =)

 

[Danger]

Doesn't seem impossible to me...tail coiled in one shoe, neck looped through the laces of another...add an electric volt and *clatter clatter*

doesn't sound very good...hum

Damn! You found a flaw in my logic. I reluctantly concede defeat.

 

[i_wish_i_was_smart]

just agree and say its not very probable, he has no choice to agree with you
end of discussion

 

[JaredJames]

Well I'd say a human surviving without lungs and a brain (without outside help) is impossible.

My TV working without a source of electricity is impossible.

 

[lisab]

Well I'd say a human surviving without lungs and a brain (without outside help) is impossible.

My TV working without a source of electricity is impossible.

Not true, it could work as a paperweight without electricity.

 

[JaredJames]

Not true, it could work as a paperweight without electricity.

But that's not working in the way I meant it, nor in the manner for which it was designed. Nice try though.