Not that its worth much but my take is that I really like aspects of philosophy and that it can be really helpful in clarifying thinking, yet, at other times it just seems to be a road block where rivalling factions of philosophers go way off the original point (whatever it was) to discuss esoteric elements that almost no-one outside of philosophy can understand - least of all, me.
It also seems that at times when I attempt to argue against some philosophical argument or other that I'm told I am not arguing in the right way - even when the point appears valid to me. Its only occasionally that one of you guys (or gals) deigns to dumb it down so I can get it.
If I was going to argue against the Kalam argument, above I'd say:
P1 is actually unsound. Everything that begins to exist has a cause within the universe. Outside of it we really have no idea. We don't know if time exists outside of the universe, or if it does, how it works. For example whilst within the universe cause precedes effect it might work in reverse outside the universe - or in a totally unrelated way.
To me that Kalam argument is rooted in the idea that our common knowledge, logic and experience can be applied to everything. This is simply not the case. Anyone with even the briefest familiarity with Quantum Physics knows that logic doesn't apply and it all goes crazy.
Now heaven only knows if I can argue that way, philosophically speaking - even if it does make scientific sense.
It also seems that at times when I attempt to argue against some philosophical argument or other that I'm told I am not arguing in the right way - even when the point appears valid to me. Its only occasionally that one of you guys (or gals) deigns to dumb it down so I can get it.
If I was going to argue against the Kalam argument, above I'd say:
P1 is actually unsound. Everything that begins to exist has a cause within the universe. Outside of it we really have no idea. We don't know if time exists outside of the universe, or if it does, how it works. For example whilst within the universe cause precedes effect it might work in reverse outside the universe - or in a totally unrelated way.
To me that Kalam argument is rooted in the idea that our common knowledge, logic and experience can be applied to everything. This is simply not the case. Anyone with even the briefest familiarity with Quantum Physics knows that logic doesn't apply and it all goes crazy.
Now heaven only knows if I can argue that way, philosophically speaking - even if it does make scientific sense.
Kuusi palaa, ja on viimeinen kerta kun annan vaimoni laittaa jouluvalot!
