X-Message-Number: 17881
Date: Fri, 09 Nov 2001 16:23:33 -0500
From: david pizer <>
Subject: Do you like philosophy?

I have a problem and I am turning to CryoNet readers for some tips.  I am
working on a theory of the mind and I need to clear up some assumptions in
the beginning.  Maybe you can offer some suggestions.

1.	The idea that something can come from nothing doesn't make sense to me.
For instance: I find that some theories of the Big Bang don't make sense.
What I don't understand is how someone can hold that specific theory that
says the universe was created (formed, arose, came from) from nothing.  To
me, "nothing" means nothing!  That would mean not even the propensity to
become something.

Does anyone have advice on how to state this more convincingly??  Or can
you show that something can come from nothing?

2.	An uncaused event.  I have never liked Hume's theory about how causation
is just one event following another.  And, I have nevered believed there
can be an uncaused event.  How would an uncaused event happen?

What would be a good way to show that there can not be an uncaused event?


Any suggestions are appreciated.

Dave Pizer

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