Adhanom Andemicael

Re: Nothing What is "nothing"? By definition, "nothing" is a "situation." It is a situation in which all things are absent. "Nothing" Cannot Exist Let us consider the following statement: S1: Nothing exists. *** Statement S1 seems to contradict itself. *** In order for a situation to exist, the situation has to persist.1,2 A scenario in which "nothing exists" cannot persist.3,4 Therefore, a scenario in which "nothing exists" cannot exist.5 *** "Nothing" cannot exist. Therefore, "something" must always exist.6 Notes: 1. Suppose a situation S exists. Then S must persist for a duration greater than zero seconds. (If S persists for zero seconds, S never exists.) 2. If a situation persists, a phenomenon of temporal passage (i.e., a phenomenon of time flow) occurs. 3. The premise "'nothing' persists" leads to a contradiction. (It leads to the conclusion that "nothing" does not exist. [See note no. 4.]) 4. If "nothing" persists, time flow occurs. If time flow occurs, time exists. If time exists, "something" exists. If "something" exists, "nothing" does not exist. Therefore, if "nothing" persists, "nothing" does not exist. 5. The terms "situation," "scenario," and "state of affairs" are synonymous. 6. We know that "something" always exists. But what could this "something" be? (An eternal "mind" of some sort?) Re: Nothing If "nothing" is a "situation," we can ask the question "How long does 'nothing' persist?"1,2 Notes: 1. Suppose S is a situation. The question "How long does S persist?" is a meaningful question. 2. The situation we call "nothing" can persist for at most zero seconds. Re: Nothing (II) By definition, "nothing" is a "situation."1 However, it is a situation that cannot exist. *** Let us consider the following statement: S2: "Nothing" does not persist over time. *** Statement S2 is true.2 Notes: 1. The "absence of all things" is a "situation." (It is a "state of affairs.") 2. The situation we call "nothing" can persist for at most zero seconds. Re: Nothing (III) If nothing exists, time does not exist.1 Notes: 1. In order for time to exist, persistence has to occur for a duration greater than zero seconds. "Something" Always Exists ("Nothing" Never Exists) Part I: Let us consider the following statements: A. No "thing" exists. B. Statement A is true. C. A situation exists in which statement B is true. D. A situation exists.1 E. A "thing" exists. F. Consciousness exists. G. Statement A can never be true. *** I claim that statement G is true. *** Proof: If A is true, B is true. If B is true, C is true.2 If C is true, D is true. If D is true, E is true.3 If E is true, A is false. Therefore, if A is true, A is false! (Contradiction!) Clearly, A can never be true.4 Since A can never be true, it follows that G is true. *** If A is never true, A is always false. A is never true. Therefore, A is always false. If A is always false, E is always true. A is always false. Therefore, E is always true. We conclude the following: A "thing" always exists.5 Part II: Suppose a "thing" T persists for zero seconds. Then T exists for "no length of time."6 If T exists for "no length of time," T never exists. Therefore, if T persists for zero seconds, T never exists. Suppose a "thing" exists. Then the "thing" must persist for a duration greater than zero seconds. If a "thing" persists for a duration greater than zero seconds, a phenomenon of temporal passage must occur.7 If a phenomenon of temporal passage occurs, consciousness must exist.8 Therefore, if a "thing" exists, consciousness must exist. *** If statement E is true, F is true. E is true. Therefore, F is true. *** If statement E is always true, F is always true. E is always true. Therefore, F is always true.9 *** We conclude the following: Consciousness always exists.10 Notes: 1. The terms "situation," "scenario," and "state of affairs" are synonymous. 2. Suppose statement B is true. Then a situation exists. (The situation that exists is that statement B is true.) 3. A "situation" is a "thing." If a "situation" exists, a "thing" exists. 4. It can never be the case that statement A is true. 5. A "thing" must always exist. (It can never be the case that "no 'thing' exists.") 6. Zero seconds is "no length of time." 7. The word "persist" implies a passage of time. (Persistence is a dynamic process.) 8. The phenomenon of temporal passage (i.e., the phenomenon of time flow) is consciousness-dependent. 9. If a "thing" exists, consciousness exists. 10. Consciousness must always exist. (It can never be the case that "consciousness does not exist.") *** Clarification: The premise "A is true" leads to a contradiction. (It leads to the conclusion that A and E are both true.) The premise "E is true" does not lead to a contradiction. (It does not lead to the conclusion that E and A are both true.) Adhanom Andemicael

Let us suppose the following: - O_A is a conscious observer that exists in spacetime. - O_A is the only conscious observer that exists in spacetime. - m1 is the moment "1:00 pm, Jan. 1, 2000." - m2 is the moment "2:00 pm, Jan. 1, 2000." - O_A ceases to be conscious at the moment m1. - O_A does not regain consciousness until the moment m2. - The time dimension of spacetime does not pass. - When O_A is unconscious, O_A's subjective time does not pass. *** Now let us consider the following statement: S1: Between m1 and m2, O_A is unconscious for zero seconds. *** I claim that this statement is true.1,2,3 Notes: 1. No objective time (OT) passes between the moments m1 and m2. (The total amount of OT that passes between these moments is zero seconds.) 2. O_A's subjective time (STA) does not pass between the moments m1 and m2. (The total amount of STA that passes between these moments is zero seconds.) 3. I discuss unconsciousness in considerable detail in the thread "Time, Consciousness, and Unconsciousness." Adhanom Andemicael

The premise "A is true" leads to a contradiction. The premise "D is true" does not lead to a contradiction. *** Let us consider the following statement: S1: If B is true, C is true.(1) *** The premise in this statement is "B is true." (Please note that "A is false" is not a premise in S1.(2)) *** Notes: 1. Suppose statement B is true. Then a situation exists. (The situation that exists is that statement B is true.) 2. The premise "A is false" is not present at any level in my argument. Adhanom Andemicael

The premise "A is true" is problematic. It leads to the conclusion that A and D are both true. The premise "D is true" is not problematic. It does not lead to the conclusion that D and A are both true. *** The premise "D is true" does not lead to the conclusion "D is false." *** Suppose we start out assuming that "A is true." Then "A is true" is the premise. The premise "A is true" leads to the conclusion "D is true." Here's the argument: If A is true, B is true. If B is true, C is true. If C is true, D is true. Therefore, if A is true, D is true. *** Let's extend this argument a little: If A is true, B is true. If B is true, C is true. If C is true, D is true. If D is true, A is false. Therefore, if A is true, A is false. *** The premise "A is true" leads to a contradiction.(1) *** Suppose we start out assuming that "D is true." Then "D is true" is the premise. The premise "D is true" leads directly to the conclusion "A is false." Here's the argument: If D is true, A is false.(2),(3) *** Notes: 1. The premise "A is true" leads to the conclusion "A is false." 2. The premise "D is true" does not lead to a contradiction. 3. The premise "D is true" does not lead to the conclusion "D is false." Adhanom Andemicael

It seems to me that the argument is valid. ("D is false" is just another way of saying that "A is true.") *** Please note that the premise "D is false" leads to a contradiction.(1) (It leads to the conclusion that "D is true.") *** Let us consider the following statements: S1: If A is true, D is false. S2: If A is true, D is true. I think you are claiming that statement S1 is true. I agree that S1 is true. Note however that S2 is also true. Since S1 and S2 are both true, a contradiction arises. *** I don't believe that there is a "flaw" in the "later logic." Notes: 1. The premise "D is true" does not lead to a contradiction. Adhanom Andemicael

When I say "consciousness exists," I mean the following: "One or more conscious experiences occur." Adhanom Andemicael What precisely is the "flaw" in the argument? *** What are the "singleton statements" associated with statement A? Adhanom Andemicael

Thank you for your questions. Several readers asked questions requiring long, detailed answers. The best way for me to address these questions is to do the following: - Post the text of my paper "Temporal Passage" in this forum. - Upload the pdf version of the paper to this forum so that readers can view the three (simple) line-diagrams that appear in the text/paper. - Post some additional clarifying text. *** I'd like to post this material in this forum. *** May I post this material? (The forum rules seem to allow it.) Adhanom Andemicael

I refer to the "fourth dimension of spacetime" as "Einstein's time," "physical time," "objective time," and "time." (I use these terms interchangeably.) Dates (e.g., Jan. 1, Jan. 2, etc.) are points in the fourth dimension of spacetime. (They are points in Einstein's time.) Einstein's time exists. However, it does not pass. (It is static.) Einstein's time isn't the only type of time that exists. A second type of time exists: Subjective (mental) time. Unlike Einstein's time, subjective (mental) time passes (flows). By "time flow" and "temporal passage," I mean the "flow of subjective (mental) time." Adhanom Andemicael

Physical time cannot pass. *** Dates (e.g., Jan. 1, Jan. 2, etc.) are simply locations in time. Dates do not move through time. And as we know, time itself does not "move" or "go" anywhere. It is conceivable that consciousness somehow flows relative to physical time. However, physical time itself cannot flow or pass. I suggest a model for time flow in my paper "Temporal Passage." Adhanom Andemicael

Time, Consciousness, and Unconsciousness Part I: Let us consider the following statement: S1: Unconsciousness can persist for at most zero seconds. I suggest that this statement is true. *** Argument: Let us suppose the following: - O_A is a conscious observer that exists in spacetime. - O_A is the only conscious observer that exists in spacetime. - m1 is the moment "1:00 pm, Jan. 1, 2000." - m2 is the moment "2:00 pm, Jan. 1, 2000." - O_A ceases to be conscious at the moment m1. - O_A does not regain consciousness until the moment m2. - The time dimension of spacetime does not pass. - When O_A is unconscious, O_A's subjective time does not pass. *** Now let us consider the following statements: S2: Between m1 and m2, time passes for a duration greater than zero seconds. S3: Between m1 and m2, O_A is unconscious for a duration greater than zero seconds. S4: Between m1 and m2, O_A is unconscious for at most zero seconds. S5: When O_A is unconscious, O_A's subjective time does not pass. S6: O_A can remain unconscious for at most zero seconds. *** If statement S2 is false, S3 is false. S2 is false. Therefore, S3 is false.(1) If statement S3 is false, S4 is true. S3 is false. Therefore, S4 is true. If statement S5 is true, S6 is true. S5 is true. Therefore, S6 is true. If statement S6 is true, S1 is true. S6 is true. Therefore, S1 is true.(2),(3),(4) Notes: 1. In order for an unconscious state to persist, time has to pass. 2. We tend to think of unconsciousness as a state that can persist. However, unconsciousness is a state that cannot persist. 3. The argument presented above forces us to rethink the nature of consciousness. 4. Unconsciousness can exist for at most one moment (i.e., for at most zero seconds). Part II: In order for time flow to occur between m1 and m2, Newton's time must exist. Newton's time does not exist. Therefore, time flow cannot occur between m1 and m2.(1) *** If consciousness does not exist, time flow does not occur.(2) If time flow does not occur, persistence does not occur. Therefore, if consciousness does not exist, persistence does not occur. *** If unconsciousness exists, consciousness does not exist. If consciousness does not exist, persistence does not occur. Therefore, if unconsciousness exists, persistence does not occur. *** Can unconsciousness persist? A necessary condition for unconsciousness to persist is the following: Persistence must occur while unconsciousness exists. Note however, persistence cannot occur while unconsciousness exists. The answer to the question posed above is therefore "no." We must conclude that unconsciousness cannot persist. *** Let us consider the following statements: S1: O_A's subjective time passes if and only if O_A is conscious. S2: Between m1 and m2, O_A is not conscious. S3: Between m1 and m2, O_A's subjective time does not pass. ** S4: No objective time passes between points in Einstein's time.(3),(4) S5: m1 and m2 are points in Einstein's time. S6: No objective time passes between m1 and m2. ** S7: O_A's subjective time does not pass between m1 and m2. S8: No objective time passes between m1 and m2. S9: No time passes between m1 and m2. *** If S1 and S2 are true, then S3 is true. S1 and S2 are true. Therefore, S3 is true. If S4 and S5 are true, then S6 is true. S4 and S5 are true. Therefore, S6 is true. If S7 and S8 are true, then S9 is true. S7 and S8 are true. Therefore, S9 is true. Notes: 1. Newton's time is the only kind of time that can elapse between m1 and m2. Neither Einstein's time nor O_A's subjective time elapses between m1 and m2. (Note: O_A's subjective time elapses if and only if O_A is conscious.) 2. Note: I'm referring to a scenario in which only one conscious observer (i.e., O_A) exists. 3. Einstein's time is static. (It never "passes" or "flows.") 4. The terms "pass," "flow," and "elapse" are synonymous. Clarification: When I say "unconsciousness exists," I mean "no observer is conscious." *** (Note: If O_A is unconscious, the statement "unconsciousness exists" is true. If O_A is conscious, the statement "unconsciousness exists" is false.) Part III: Let us suppose the following: - O_A is a conscious observer that exists in spacetime. - O_A is located on Earth and is at rest with respect to the Earth. - m1 is the moment "12:00 pm, Jan. 1, 2000." - m2 is the moment "12:00 pm, Jan. 1, 2020." - O_A ceases to be conscious at the moment m1. - O_A does not regain consciousness until the moment m2. - When O_A is unconscious, O_A's subjective time does not pass.(1) - The time dimension of spacetime does not pass. - O_B is another conscious observer that exists in spacetime. - O_B is located on Earth and is at rest with respect to the Earth. - Between the moments m1 and m2, O_B experiences 20 years of elapsed (subjective) time. - O_C is a third conscious observer that exists in spacetime. - O_C is located on Earth and is at rest with respect to the Earth. - At the moment m1, O_C accelerates to a velocity close to that of light. - At the moment m2, O_C is at rest with respect to the Earth. - Between the moments m1 and m2, O_C experiences 10 years of elapsed (subjective) time. *** Now let us consider the following statement: S10: Between m1 and m2, O_A is unconscious for zero seconds. *** I claim that this statement is true.(2),(3),(4),(5),(6) Notes: 1. O_A's subjective time passes if and only if O_A is conscious. 2. No objective time (OT) passes between the moments m1 and m2. (The total amount of OT that passes between these moments is zero seconds.) 3. O_A's subjective time (STA) does not pass between the moments m1 and m2. (The total amount of STA that passes between these moments is zero seconds.) 4. O_A experiences zero seconds of elapsed time between the moments m1 and m2. 5. O_B and O_C's experiences of temporal passage are subjective experiences. 6. O_B and O_C's subjective experiences do not affect O_A's experience of reality. Part IV Let us consider the following statements: 1: Between m1 and m2, STA passes for zero seconds. 2: Between m1 and m2, O_A experiences zero seconds of elapsed subjective time. 3: Between m1 and m2, O_A is unconscious for zero seconds. ** 4: Between m1 and m2, STB passes for 20 years. 5: Between m1 and m2, O_B experiences 20 years of elapsed subjective time. 6: Between m1 and m2, O_A is unconscious for zero seconds. ** 7: Between m1 and m2, STC passes for 10 years. 8: Between m1 and m2, O_C experiences 10 years of elapsed subjective time. 9: Between m1 and m2, O_A is unconscious for zero seconds. *** Statements 1, 2, and 3 are true from O_A's perspective. Statements 4, 5 and 6 are true from O_B's perspective. Statements 7, 8 and 9 are true from O_C's perspective.(1) *** Here are two more statements for us to consider: 10: O_A is unconscious for 20 years. 11: O_A is unconscious for 10 years. *** Statement 10 is false from O_B's perspective.(2) Statement 11 is false from O_C's perspective.(3) *** Please note the following: - No objective time flow exists. - Time flow is a subjective phenomenon associated with consciousness. - In the scenario that I describe, three subjective time flows exist: STA, STB, and STC. - STB has nothing to say about the duration of O_A's consciousness.(4) - STB has nothing to say about the duration of O_A's unconsciousness. - STC has nothing to say about the duration of O_A's consciousness. - STC has nothing to say about the duration of O_A's unconsciousness. - Statements 1 through 9 are true from O_A's perspective. - Statements 1 through 9 are true from O_B's perspective. - Statements 1 through 9 are true from O_C's perspective.(5) Notes: 1. All three observers claim that O_A is unconscious for zero seconds. 2. O_B has no reason to claim that O_A is unconscious for 20 years. 3. O_C has no reason to claim that O_A is unconscious for 10 years. 4. Subjective time streams exist independently of each other. (See section IV of my paper "Temporal Passage.") 5. Subjective time is an absolute quantity. It is not a quantity that varies depending on the reference frame. Part V (Clarification) Please note the following: - Three subjective timelines exist: TLA, TLB, and TLC.(1) - Statements 3, 10, and 11 make claims about TLA. - Statement 10 makes a claim about TLA that is false from O_B's perspective. - Statement 10 does not make a claim about TLB. - Statement 11 does not make a claim about TLC. *** New statements Here are two new statements for us to consider: 12: O_B is unconscious for 20 years. 13: O_C is unconscious for 10 years. *** Statement 12 makes a claim about TLB. Statement 13 makes a claim about TLC. Notes: 1. I discuss subjective timelines in my paper "Temporal Passage." Re: Situations and Consciousness Let us define two situations: S1: A situation in which consciousness exists.(1) S2: A situation in which consciousness does not exist. *** Now let us consider the following two statements: A. If consciousness exists, S1 exists.(2) B. If consciousness does not exist, S2 exists.(3),(4),(5) *** I claim that these two statements are true. Notes: 1. The terms "situation," "scenario," and "state of affairs" are synonymous. 2. Suppose consciousness exists. Then a situation exists. (The situation that exists is that consciousness exists.) 3. Suppose consciousness does not exist. Then a situation exists. (The situation that exists is that consciousness does not exist.) 4. In my articles, I refer to situation S2 as "unconsciousness." 5. S2 (i.e., "unconsciousness") can persist for at most zero seconds. Unconsciousness What is "unconsciousness"? "Unconsciousness" is by definition a situation. It is a situation in which consciousness does not exist.(1) Notes: 1. The situation we call "unconsciousness" can persist for at most zero seconds. Please don't advertise your website here! Adhanom Andemicael andemicaela@yahoo.com

Consciousness Always Exists Part I: Let us consider the following statements: A. No situation exists. B. Statement A is true. C. A situation exists in which statement B is true. D. A situation exists.(1) E. Consciousness exists. F. Statement A can never be true. *** I claim that statement F is true. *** Proof: If A is true, B is true. If B is true, C is true.(2) If C is true, D is true. If D is true, A is false. Therefore, if A is true, A is false! (Contradiction!) Clearly, A can never be true.(3) Since A can never be true, it follows that F is true. *** If A is never true, A is always false. A is never true. Therefore, A is always false. If A is always false, D is always true. A is always false. Therefore, D is always true. We conclude the following: A situation always exists.(4) Part II: Suppose a situation S persists for zero seconds. Then S exists for "no length of time."(5) If S exists for "no length of time," S never exists. Therefore, if S persists for zero seconds, S never exists. Suppose a situation exists. Then the situation must persist for a duration greater than zero seconds. If a situation persists for a duration greater than zero seconds, a phenomenon of temporal passage must occur.(6) If a phenomenon of temporal passage occurs, consciousness must exist.(7) Therefore, if a situation exists, consciousness must exist. *** If statement D is true, E is true. D is true. Therefore, E is true. *** If statement D is always true, E is always true. D is always true. Therefore, E is always true.(8) *** We conclude the following: Consciousness always exists.(9) *** Notes: 1. The terms "situation," "scenario," and "state of affairs" are synonymous. 2. Suppose statement B is true. Then a situation exists. (The situation that exists is that statement B is true.) 3. It can never be the case that statement A is true. 4. A situation must always exist. (It can never be the case that "no situation exists.") 5. Zero seconds is "no length of time." 6. The word "persist" implies a passage of time. (Persistence is a dynamic process.) 7. The phenomenon of temporal passage (i.e., the phenomenon of time flow) is consciousness-dependent. (I discuss the relationship between time flow and consciousness in my paper "Temporal Passage.") 8. If a situation exists, consciousness exists. 9. Consciousness must always exist. (It can never be the case that "consciousness does not exist.") Commercial website link removed Adhanom Andemicael andemicaela@yahoo.com