RE: What philosophical evidence is there against believing in non-physical entities?
August 31, 2016 at 7:04 pm
(This post was last modified: August 31, 2016 at 7:04 pm by Thumpalumpacus.)
(August 31, 2016 at 3:14 pm)ChadWooters Wrote:(August 31, 2016 at 3:08 pm)Alex K Wrote: Still no clear statement what non-physical entities are?
As for me I word say that the meanings of words, language in general, is nonphysical. At the very least, it is irreducible.
... he typed onto a keyboard, in order to present a physical expression of language ...
Language is always physical except in the sense of us talking to ourselves -- and even then, our neurons are firing. You talk to your neighbor, right? Are the molecules between the two of you stilled? No, they are the medium.
The meanings of the words, you say? That isn't physical?
Let me know your opinion after you've had your Broca's Area removed ... if you can. Language arises in the neurophysiology of the brain -- a physical element -- and is transmitted by both speech and writing -- both physical modes. Speaking is an act, which is a physical thing. Writing is an act. Even listening is a physical action. Processing what is heard is also a physical act -- you don't need to take my word for it, you can read this study.
The idea that words have Platonic meanings is silly. The evolution of languages disproves it, the misunderstandings in communication disproves it, and the fact that brainless things cannot engage in linguistics disproves it.
