Re: [Phys-l] About the "why" and "how" questions.

[Spinozalens@aol.com]

In a message dated 12/22/2010 6:30:37 PM Eastern Standard Time,  
clement@hal-pc.org writes:

Not only  is this a poetic statement, but it is a reference to Einstein who
said he  would like to know the mind of God.  And even if we find a  
mechanism
for the creation of the universe, one can always ask where that  mechanism
came from.  So science can only probe further, but can never  come up with 
an
answer to the ultimate why.

John M.  Clement
Houston, TX
 
 
In an absolute sense the why question may have no answer, in fact the  
question itself may be a category error based on the un stated assumption  of 
agency in nature. We evolved to see agency in nature so we are inclined  to 
ascribe agency when none exist. On a primitive level this is why storms and  
other natural disasters are seen as god's wrath. Primitive people see the 
work  of the gods in every natural event. In my opinion, believe in a super  
being , and especially the idea of a super being who made  it all for us 
personally, is based on this propensity to see agency in  everything. I think we 
can, by using good scholarship applied to the  origins and history of the 
current prevalent myth systems and based on  the realities that modern science 
reveals ,  should be able  to avoid privileging current myths over the 
Greek Homeric  sagas for example. 
 
Bob Zannelli 



> > "However, if we discover a complete  theory, it should in time be
> > understandable by everyone, not just  by a few scientists. Then we
> > shall all, philosophers, scientists  and just ordinary people, be able
> > to take part in the discussion  of the question of why it is that we
> > and the universe exist. If  we find the answer to that, it would be the
> > ultimate triumph of  human reason -- for then we should know the mind
> > of God."
>  >