Two suppositions:
- we make / discuss theories to give us and idea of thing which give us “subjective satisfaction”
- if there are two ideas and one seems more rational than the other, the more rational one is truer
He believes that all of the achievements of mathematics and science are because of man’s indomitable desire make the world a more rational place.
The principal of causality is a postulate…so are uniformity and necessity.
Two words “encumber” past arguments about determinism, freedom and chance, because they are loaded words.
Hard determinism: everything is preordained…all seemingly possible are illusions
Soft determinism: hard determinism with a little free will
Indeterminism: multiple possible realities
Chance means the probable, not the impossible
He says that if the world is deterministic, how can there be regret? If something “bad” happens in a deterministic universe, how can we say that that thing is bad? Because the thing was predetermined, isn’t then the whole universe bad? I we then get rid of the idea of good and bad, why do we still regret?
As a result of the deterministic dilemma, he, James, is an indeterminist.
October 17, 2006 at 1:48 am
good job, would have been better if it was a bit more detailed.
April 2, 2009 at 3:46 pm
indeed, but this did clarify my reading a little thankyou :]
July 6, 2009 at 3:23 am
too short . .and it is not kinda detailed . .