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Can something be both existent and nonexistent? 5 Years, 2 Months ago
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Some cosmologist claim that all possible universes must exist if the opportunities for existence are infinite. How is this true in the context of infinity when the possibility of existence implies the possibility of nonexistence? I've listed the statements below:
X is possible if it has a nonzero probability of existing.
Given infinite opportunities, a nonzero probability equals one.
Therefore, with infinite opportunities, X necessarily exists.
With a nonzero probability of existing, X has a nonzero probability of nonexistence.
X has a nonzero probability of nonexistence.
Given infinite opportunities, a nonzero probability equals one.
Therefore, with infinite opportunities, X is necessarily nonexistent.
Does this mean that X is necessarily existent and nonexistent?
nanrek :-?
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Re: Can something be both existent and nonexistent? 5 Years, 2 Months ago
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At any given time X either exists or it does not exist (X is either in state E or not E).
X is possible if it has a nonzero probability of existing.
Given infinite opportunities, a nonzero probability equals one.
Therefore, with infinite opportunities, X necessarily exists at some time.
With a nonzero probability of existing, X has a nonzero probability of nonexistence.
X has a nonzero probability of nonexistence.
Given infinite opportunities, a nonzero probability equals one.
Therefore, with infinite opportunities, X is necessarily nonexistent at some time. <!-- editby --><br /><br /><em>edited by: bobloblah, Mar 21, 2007 - 06:09 PM</em><!-- end editby -->
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Re: Can something be both existent and nonexistent? 5 Years, 2 Months ago
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QUOTE:
"At any given time X either exists or it does not exist (X is either in state E or not E)"
REPLY:
This is true within time. However, I am placing the problem outside of time.
nanrek
<!-- editby --><br /><br /><em>edited by: nanrek, Mar 21, 2007 - 09:09 PM</em><!-- end editby -->
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Re: Can something be both existent and nonexistent? 5 Years, 2 Months ago
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QUOTE:
"At any given time X either exists or it does not exist (X is either in state E or not E)"
REPLY:
This is true within time. However, I am placing the problem outside of time.
nanrek
Ok, I guess I just took "Does this mean that X is necessarily existent and nonexistent?" too harshly, as when I read it, it sounds like you might be thinking "at the same time" because of "is". Isn't this just another way of saying that there's something that isn't eternal?
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Re: Can something be both existent and nonexistent? 5 Years, 2 Months ago
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Given infinite opportunities, a nonzero probability equals one.
The probability might be infinitesimally small. An infinite sum of infinitesimal parts does not necessarily equal one. Integral calculus shows that it can have a range of values.
X is possible if it has a nonzero probability of existing.
Yes, but your argument does not need that premiss. It needs this one:
If X is possible, it has a nonzero probability of existing.
And that is false. For a world to be possible it has to be not self-contradictory to suppose that it exists. But for a world to have a nonzero probability of existing, it has to be within the bounds of physical possibility. So in some (logically) possible world we have colonised the sun. But there is a zero probability that we will: for it is (physically) impossible. <!-- editby --><br /><br /><em>edited by: cuthbert, Mar 22, 2007 - 10:37 AM</em><!-- end editby -->
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Re: Can something be both existent and nonexistent? 5 Years, 2 Months ago
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QUOTE: Cuthbert
"So in some (logically) possible world we have colonised the sun. But there is a zero probability that we will: for it is (physically) impossible. "
REPLY:
You're right when you say logically possible things may be physically impossible. I didn't make it clear but I was thinking about physical possibilities when I posted the message.
nanrek  |
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