reality simulation (as Flannel was saying...) --

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Subject: reality simulation (as Flannel was saying...)

Author:
omnifinite

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Date Posted: 20:20:06 07/20/01 Fri
In reply to: lark33i 's message, "explaining our lack of free will" on 07:12:38 06/07/01 Thu

I'm sure this idea has a name, but I don't remember what it is.

Disregarding the astronomical amounts of knowledge and processing power required here... theoretically we could build an exact virtual replica of the entire universe using the properties, locations, speeds, and directions of movement of every single atom and particle in existence at any given moment. Then, knowing fully how these particles act and interact, like watching a giant system of gears and springs and pulleys, we could simulate and predict every moment in the future anywhere, anytime... including our own behavior. This all sounds pretty logical to me, and if it's true it doesn't look so good for the existence of free will. I think deep down the question here is of the nature of consciousness. The simulation would only be simulating physical interactions throughout the universe. If there is some influential part of us (a spirit, a soul, etc.) that lies outside the simulation, in the realm of the metaphysical, then the existence of our free will may remain intact.

I wonder if anything short of creating this impossible simulation could bring us proof of what fuels our creative abilities and 'originality'. Hard to say what could possibly prove the existence of consciousness, other than having the experience of containing it, or I do at least *eyes you all solipsistically*.

Of course, I'd say the metaphysical is only considered to be outside the physical because we haven't figured out how to perceive and study it yet. If that were factored into the simulation... well... I'm too tired to think about it right now.

*remembers there are cookies in the kitchen and leaves an omni-shaped dust cloud in his place*

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Replies:

Subject	Author	Date
problem with this claim: quantum mechanics	mi chamocha	10:41:22 07/22/01 Sun
Since wer'e talking quantum -- Lover of wisdom, 23:30:05 07/22/01 Sun physicist in the house -- mi chamocha, 04:41:37 07/23/01 Mon the law of non-contadiction -- lover of wisdom, 08:05:49 07/23/01 Mon the law of non-contradiction -- lover of wisdom, 08:10:25 07/23/01 Mon Addendum: Logic, the Uncertainty Principle -- mi chamocha, 08:43:42 07/23/01 Mon