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"Everything has a cause and an explanation" discussion.
February 18, 2015 at 3:54 pm
I have two related questions:
1. Does everything have an explanation?
2. Does everything have a cause?
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RE: "Everything has a cause and an explanation" discussion.
February 18, 2015 at 3:55 pm
Don't know if this counts, but some clever guy proved that in any suitably complex mathematical system or something, there will be statements which are true but cannot be proven to be true. Diagonal lemma. Forget the details.
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RE: "Everything has a cause and an explanation" discussion.
February 18, 2015 at 3:56 pm
I do believe you'll have to very explicitly explain under what definition of 'cause' you're operating.
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RE: "Everything has a cause and an explanation" discussion.
February 18, 2015 at 3:56 pm
What do you mean by does everything have an explanation?
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RE: "Everything has a cause and an explanation" discussion.
February 18, 2015 at 4:09 pm
(February 18, 2015 at 3:56 pm)FatAndFaithless Wrote: I do believe you'll have to very explicitly explain under what definition of 'cause' you're operating.
Here's one.
"Causality (also referred to as causation[1]) is the relation between an event (the cause) and a second event (the effect), where the second event is understood as a physical consequence of the first.[2]" -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Causality
Pick a definition then. Pick whatever one you like.
(February 18, 2015 at 3:56 pm)Faith No More Wrote: What do you mean by does everything have an explanation?
Good question. I don't know I was hoping other people could help since I find this concept extremely confusing. It's especially confusing given that explanatory reasoning is not formalized the way deductive reasoning and inductive reasoning are.
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RE: "Everything has a cause and an explanation" discussion.
February 18, 2015 at 4:11 pm
(February 18, 2015 at 4:09 pm)Pizz-atheist Wrote: (February 18, 2015 at 3:56 pm)FatAndFaithless Wrote: I do believe you'll have to very explicitly explain under what definition of 'cause' you're operating.
Here's one.
"Causality (also referred to as causation[1]) is the relation between an event (the cause) and a second event (the effect), where the second event is understood as a physical consequence of the first.[2]" - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Causality
Pick a definition then. Pick whatever one you like.
"A set of circumstances that necessarily result in a change or event" could be a pretty simple one. I ask just because many (thesits) folks use the word 'cause' to mean 'intent' or 'agent decision'.
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RE: "Everything has a cause and an explanation" discussion.
February 18, 2015 at 4:13 pm
No by default. Show me otherwise
The fool hath said in his heart, There is a God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
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RE: "Everything has a cause and an explanation" discussion.
February 18, 2015 at 4:16 pm
(February 18, 2015 at 4:11 pm)FatAndFaithless Wrote: (February 18, 2015 at 4:09 pm)Pizz-atheist Wrote: Here's one.
"Causality (also referred to as causation[1]) is the relation between an event (the cause) and a second event (the effect), where the second event is understood as a physical consequence of the first.[2]" - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Causality
Pick a definition then. Pick whatever one you like.
"A set of circumstances that necessarily result in a change or event" could be a pretty simple one. I ask just because many (thesits) folks use the word 'cause' to mean 'intent' or 'agent decision'.
Yeah, it's annoying when they do that with words.
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RE: "Everything has a cause and an explanation" discussion.
February 18, 2015 at 4:16 pm
If a leaf falls to the ground its because of gravity...not some fucking god.
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RE: "Everything has a cause and an explanation" discussion.
February 18, 2015 at 4:16 pm
(February 18, 2015 at 3:55 pm)robvalue Wrote: Don't know if this counts, but some clever guy proved that in any suitably complex mathematical system or something, there will be statements which are true but cannot be proven to be true. Diagonal lemma. Forget the details.
Are you talking about Gödel's incompleteness theorems?
It is very important not to mistake hemlock for parsley, but to believe or not believe in God is not important at all. - Denis Diderot
We are the United States of Amnesia, we learn nothing because we remember nothing. - Gore Vidal
