May 26th, 2013
by Max Andrews
In preparation for my debate this past March I went through my opponents blog to find relevant arguments he may use. (He didn’t use any I had expected. Instead, he just did the scatter-gun approach by putting little, ineffective arguments out there hoping they’d stick instead of presenting a few robust, substantive arguments.) I found this argument on the impossibility of God from omniscience and omnipotence. I expected this because these are the types of arguments atheists should be using. In order to demonstrate a universal negative one must demonstrate that the referent is impossible or logically incoherent; that is, since contradictions are the only things that cannot obtain. To much misfortune, the argument was not presented. If it had been presented the debate would have been much more substantive. (To watch the debate for yourself, watch it here. Don’t take my word for it.)
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Posted in Atheism, Mathematics, Metaphysics | 2 Comments »
May 14th, 2013
by Max Andrews
When we think of infinity we usually think of the usual two categorical distinctions: a potential infinite and an actual infinite. A potential infinite suggests that infinity is only an idea or a concept but doesn’t actually exist in the Platonic sense or in the physical sense. In any set, one may always be added. An actual infinite is the notion that there exists such a set, Platonic or physical, whichis infinite. A potential infinity may be symbolized by a lemniscate: ∞. An actual infinite can be depicted by the aleph-null or aleph-nought: ℵ0 (The Hebrew letter aleph with a subscript zero).
First, let’s have a brief refresher on set theory. A set is any collection of things or numbers that belong to a well-defined category. In a set notation, this would be written as {2, 3, 5, 7, 11} being the first five prime numbers, which is a finite set of things. Let’s simply signify this set as S. There is a proper subset (SS) of S. There are members in S that are not in SS, but no member of SS that is not in S.
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Posted in Logic, Mathematics, Metaphysics | No Comments »
August 27th, 2012
by Max Andrews
In our experience, intentions get actualized any number of ways[1]: A sculptor by chiseling at stone, musicians by writing notes, engineers by drawing up blueprints. In general, all actualizations of intentions can be realized in language. Precise enough sets of instructions in a natural language can tell the sculptor how to form the statue, musician how to record the notes, and engineer how to draw up blueprints.
Why should an act of speech be God’s mode of creation? Language is the universal medium for actualizing intentions. The language that proceeds from God’s mouth in the act of creation is the divine Logos (Jn. 1.1-5). In the act of creation God the Father speaks the divine Logos in the power of the Holy Spirit. The divine Logos is not just language in the ordinary sense (utterances that convey information), but the very ground and possibility of language. Words need power to accomplish their end and God’s Word has that power (Is. 55.11).
Given that we are made in God’s image, the Trinitarian structure of creation is reflected in human speech.
“The word [goes] out of the mouth of God in such a manner that it likewise ‘[goes] out of the mouth’ of men; for God does not speak openly from heaven, but employs men as his instruments, that by their agency he may make known his will.”[2]
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Posted in Christianity, Mathematics | 2 Comments »
June 26th, 2012
by Max Andrews
Whenever probability is being considered there must be some type of relevant or total background information (usually depicted as k). The immediate objection when applying a probability rule or calculus to the fine-tuning of the universe in a multiverse scenario would be to say that this is universe is not an appropriate random sampling. In other words, if we know of [at least] only one universe with these values the random sample size is precisely 1; thus, no random sample can be used to assess the probability of certain values of physics in the argument. In statistics a random sample drawn must have the same chance of being sampled as all the other samples. Since we know of only one universe we do not know what the range of values for the constants and physics could be. Additionally, since we don’t know how narrow or broad these ranges could be there’s no way of drawing out any probability based argument for fine-tuning. However, we can know what other universes would be like if the values were different. If our natural laws have counterfactuals that are in any way incoherent then this is an appropriate sampling. Also, to make this objection and advocate that we just so happen to live in a life permitting universe in the multiverse then this objection cannot be made since the claim that we happen to life in a life-permitting one amongst countless others suggest we can know what the other samplings are.
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Posted in Cosmology, Mathematics, Philosophy of Science | 1 Comment »
May 9th, 2012
by Max Andrews
Word of the Week: Mathematical Invariance
Definition: In Einstein’s use of the word, mathematical invariance established a genuine ontology in which the subject grips with objective structures and intrinsic intelligibility of the universe.
More about the word: Throughout Einstein’s work, the mechanistic universe proved unsatisfactory. This was made evident after the discovery of the electromagnetic field and the failure of Newtonian physics to account for it in mechanistic concepts. Then came the discovery of four-dimensional geometry and with it the realization that the geometrical structures of Newtonian physics could not be detached from changes in space and time with which field theory operated.
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Posted in Mathematics, Philosophy | No Comments »
April 18th, 2012
by Max Andrews
Information theory is the branch of probability theory that deals with uncertainty, accuracy, and information content in the transmission of messages. It can be applied to any system of communication (electric signals, fiber optic pulses, speech, etc.). Random signals, known as noise, are often added to a message during the transmission process, altering the signal received from that sent. Information theory is used to work out the probability that a particular signal received is the same as the signal sent. In transmitting a sequence of numbers, their sum might also be transmitted so that the receiver will know that there is an error when the sum does not correspond to the rest of the message. The sum itself gives no extra information, simply a confirmation. The statistics of choosing a message out of all possible messages (letters like the alphabet or binary digits for example) determines the amount of information contained in it. Information is measured in bits (binary digits). If one out of two possible signals are sent then the information content is one bit. A choice of one out of four possible signals contains more information although the signal itself might be the same.
For more information see John Daintith and John Clark’s The Facts on File Dictionary of Mathematics (New York: Market Book House, 1999), 97.
Posted in Mathematics | No Comments »
April 18th, 2012
by Max Andrews
A method of proving mathematical theorems, used particularly for series sums. For example, it is possible to show that the series 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + … has a sum of n terms of n(n + 1)/2. Firest one must show that if it is true for n terms it must also be true for (n + 1) terms. According to the formula
Sn = n(n + 1)/2
if the formula is correct, the sum of (n +1) terms is obtained by adding (n +1) terms is obtained by adding (n + 1) to this
Sn+1 = n(n + 1)/2 + (n +1)
Sn+1 = n(n + 1)(n + 2)/2
This agrees with the result obtained by replacing n in the general formula by (n + 1), i.e.:
Sn+1 = n(n + 1)(n + 1 + 1)/2
Sn+1 = n(n + 1)(n + 2)/2
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Posted in Logic, Mathematics | No Comments »
April 17th, 2012
by Max Andrews
The Drake equation is advocated by SETI (Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence) to show that the probability for ETI has a high probability (N).
N=N*×fp×ne×fl×fi×fc×fL
- N* Number of stars in the Milky Way
- fp Number of habitable planets in each system
- ne number of planets that are Earth like
- fl number of planets that emerge from inorganic matter or organic precursors
- fi fraction of those planets on which intelligent beings also evolve
- fc fraction of those planets on which sufficient communications technology arises
- fL fraction of average planet lifetime
The problem with the equation is that each f is a number between 0 and 1, the product of the equation will be vastly lower than the total number of suitable stars in the galaxy N*. Many variables are unknown. So, the numbers that are brought in depend profoundly on the assumptions we bring into the problem.
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Posted in Cosmology, Mathematics, Philosophy, Science | 2 Comments »
November 22nd, 2011
by Max Andrews
When we think of infinity we usually think of the usual two categorical distinctions: a potential infinite and an actual infinite. A potential infinite suggests that infinity is only an idea or a concept but doesn’t actually exist in the Platonic sense or in the physical sense. In any set, one may always be added. An actual infinite is the notion that there exists such a set, Platonic or physical, which is infinite. A potential infinity may be symbolized by a lemniscate: ∞. An actual infinite can be depicted by the aleph-null or aleph-nought: ℵ0 (The Hebrew letter aleph with a subscript zero).
First, let’s have a brief refresher on set theory.
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Posted in Mathematics | 7 Comments »
This is a compilation of posts, which focus on the philosophy of science. These posts will cover a broad spectrum within the philosophy of science ranging from multiverse scenarios, scientific theory, epistemology, and metaphysics.
The Language of God
by Max AndrewsIn our experience, intentions get actualized any number of ways[1]: A sculptor by chiseling at stone, musicians by writing notes, engineers by drawing up blueprints. In general, all actualizations of intentions can be realized in language. Precise enough sets of instructions in a natural language can tell the sculptor how to form the statue, musician how to record the notes, and engineer how to draw up blueprints.
Why should an act of speech be God’s mode of creation? Language is the universal medium for actualizing intentions. The language that proceeds from God’s mouth in the act of creation is the divine Logos (Jn. 1.1-5). In the act of creation God the Father speaks the divine Logos in the power of the Holy Spirit. The divine Logos is not just language in the ordinary sense (utterances that convey information), but the very ground and possibility of language. Words need power to accomplish their end and God’s Word has that power (Is. 55.11).
Given that we are made in God’s image, the Trinitarian structure of creation is reflected in human speech.
Posted in Christianity, Mathematics | 2 Comments »