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Definition of physical
May 20, 2016 at 9:53 pm
(This post was last modified: May 20, 2016 at 9:54 pm by robvalue.)
This is something that's come up a few times now, and I'm not completely clear about it.
Is it correct to say that something being "physical", in scientific terms, is the same as saying it "exists"? Are these two terms exactly the same? I refer to literal existence, rather than abstract concepts which may or may not represent literally existent things.
If these two terms are not interchangeable, could someone please explain to me what the difference is? My first concern would be with "space", as in the space that is available for things to "exist in". Is the space itself physical? Does the space, or the potential it represents, "exist"?
Many thanks!
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RE: Definition of physical
May 20, 2016 at 11:13 pm
I'd agree with that. None sure at the quantum level though.
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RE: Definition of physical
May 21, 2016 at 12:20 am
(This post was last modified: May 21, 2016 at 1:03 am by ignoramus.)
I don't think so. It works one way. Physical = exists, non physical entity = ?
Other than abstract thoughts, do we know of any natural phenomena which exists without taking up spacetime?
I can't think of any.
EDIT: Not sure about potential energies?
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RE: Definition of physical
May 21, 2016 at 12:41 am
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RE: Definition of physical
May 21, 2016 at 12:48 am
I think of "physical" as "that which has material form."
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RE: Definition of physical
May 21, 2016 at 5:34 am
I'd say "physical" is something tangible that you can feel, as opposed to the intangible that isn't so easily sensed.
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"Ironically like the nativist far-Right, which despises multiculturalism, but benefits from its ideas of difference to scapegoat the other and to promote its own white identity politics; these postmodernists, leftists, feminists and liberals also use multiculturalism, to side with the oppressor, by demanding respect and tolerance for oppression characterised as 'difference', no matter how intolerable." - Maryam Namazie
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RE: Definition of physical
May 21, 2016 at 5:54 am
(This post was last modified: May 21, 2016 at 6:29 am by ignoramus.)
Even the cosmic background radiation from 14b years ago is detectable!
No god detected amongst it sadly!
Lucky for the theists the cheeky bugger lives outside of spacetime! He he ....... Not!
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RE: Definition of physical
May 21, 2016 at 6:08 am
Hmm,Rob, do you think it would make sense if we called anything that can reflect light as "physical"?
