Godels Paradox - Coursework Example

Godel’s Paradox Q.6 Godel’s paradox is a theory that demonstrates the error in verifying or proving statements in a mathematical way. As observed by Godel “I am lying.” (Jean 595). This statement does not have proof, making it impractical to establish if the statement is true or false and thus, it is not unarguable. He is to the opinion that his statement is right and at the same time cannot be proven true or false because it would lead to a contradiction for both reasons. He acknowledged the whole arithmetic story can be encoded in the arithmetic itself (George 388). His two theorems of incompleteness show mathematical logic that ascertains intrinsic limitations of minor axiomatic systems able to solve arithmetic problems. He mathematically proved that any mathematical system difficult enough to include basic arithmetic must all the times be either incomplete or inconsistent. Incomplete would imply there are correct mathematical statements which are impossible to verify or prove using the system. Inconsistent is not a good object for a mathematical system because it means the ability to prove two contradictory statements using the system. Since the theory is applicable to all mathematics, it means that true mathematical statements will always exist which people cannot prove using mathematics. Q.7 In the video, “Voodoo Voodoo,” the storyteller portrays his incident of singing a song and experiencing a unique event occurring. The narrator and his friends were having a swim in the sea with no waves present, they all made a chant. However, after the chanting, a wave appeared and the chanting became a usual habit whenever they went swimming in the sea. The reason voodoo is best portrays probability and not through the parapsychology is because of the repetition. In the video, they all chanted “Voodoo Voodoo” many times until the wave appeared. The fact that the chant was repeated many times makes it more possible for the wave to match the timing of the chant. “Voodoo Voodoo” is finely illustrated by probability because through chance (the mantra) to made the waves come. There is a probability of chance to take place. The more one tries, the more he/she tries putting into the probability in optimism it will occur. There could be a 50% chance that it could really work. To clarify “Voodoo Voodoo” with parapsychology would be tricky. Parapsychology is difficult to be proven by science. Parapsychology is about the paranormal, thus, science is not able to prove it. Therefore, it is hard to illustrate the mantra was used by parapsychology. Even if one attempted to explain parapsychology, most people would find it hard believing it could really take place that way. Most people are doubtful. Probability is easy to understand and thus, can be proven. Unlike parapsychology, probability can be proven by science which is why it measures the possibility of a wave coming when the mantra is spoken. That is why it is best to explain “Voodoo Voodoo.” Q.8 In my opinion, I believe the universe is really living in a computer simulation. For example, when we have a dream, our brains create simulations. In the middle of the dream, we usually find ourselves caught up some events such like running down the ocean. Later on, we happen to drown and die. When we wake up, we realize it is just a dream. What is essential here is what took place in our conscious during dream? In the dream, we did not have any thoughts about whether we were in a dream. In fact, everything was normal until we drown. Then could this be a likelihood that death, we wake up from a dream and live normally? If this is true, then it could indicate that some religions that believe in “life after death” may also be true. What if this world is, in fact, where we wake up from dreaming? I believe that if we take a long time inside the dream and rapidly wake up, we would not be in a position to distinguish if we are in a dream or not. I think it is possible that we are living in a simulation that we create ourselves. We assume God created us. What if God was a programmer who created this simulation? We do not know why we are here and do not have evidence or proof we do not live in a simulation world. The best programmers in this world use computer programs as in movies to make things look real which we cannot tell the difference whether they are fake or original unless we are told otherwise.  I suppose the universe could be a computer simulation if it were, I would think we are. Q.9 The debate between David Lane and Elliot Benjamin is about if Alfred Russel should be considered an advocate of “Natural Selection theory” or “Intelligent Design theory.” David Lane claims that Wallace should be considered as the founder of the natural selection theory. On the other hand, Elliot Benjamin asserts on a paranormal possibility that a spiritual affect caused humans to have a more superior or complex mind. In my opinion, I think that Elliot Benjamin has a more persuasive opinion about Wallace. Firstly, unlike animals, we humans have Very complex mind. For example, humans have the ability to make rational thoughts and have critical thinking. Yet, this is not seen in other animals. According to the natural selection theory, all animals were in fact in the same species until they developed traits that transformed them into other species which later on evolved and became what we are now. But is it really that easy to develop such complex minds? To date, many psychologists study how the human brain makes some people do different actions. Yet, they still cannot find the precise cause on some actions as people committing crime. If humans had the same method and time to evolve as other animals did, why are we human an exception with more advanced minds? Even though Wallace illustrated the natural selection ideology, his view on intelligent design seems to be more persuasive than natural selection. For that reason, I agree with Elliot Benjamin that Wallace should be considered an advocate in “Intelligent design theory”. Q. 10 Reductionism is a study of philosophy that can be used to assist in problem solving. It is a process of reducing and separating elements into numerous pieces and studying them as another separate piece. Reductionism is essential to science because as element are reduced and divided; we are able to see the makeup of the element. For example, in the evolution theory, scientists maintain that humans evolved from ancient animals similar to bacteria. In order to verify the origin of humans and genetic makeup of humans (DNA) that they share with other animals, scientists divide the human body into cells. Also, an atom is an element of a molecule. Yet it can be broken down to see how detailed it is. As we continue reducing organisms we come closer to solving what we are made of and what makes the smaller items. Therefore, reductionism is an essential study in science. Q.11 The evolution theory is one of the most important scientific theories. The theory is all about where humans originated from and their evolution. However, the theory reveals a lot in terms how we behave. In the evolution theory, scientists maintain that the genetic information of the parent can be passed on to the offspring. Also, the theory may contain memories of the parent’s behavior. For instance, when an animal gives birth, as a cow, first, the calf is unable to walk because it is weak. However, after the calf gets strength, it is able to walk even though nobody taught them how to walk. This theory may describe why humans make non-rational beliefs. For example, people tend to believe that someone under has stronger powers. In certain religious beliefs, there is a god (s) that has paranormal powers such humans take them as sacred beings and worship them. To conclude, the evolution theory plays a significant part in understanding we have non-rational beliefs. Q. 12 The movie, “Maya” explains how humans are unavoidably deceived and confused. The movie provides some examples of how they are deceived. Firstly, it illustrates a sunset. When people see sunset, they believe that the sunset is currently happening. However, it takes eight minutes for the sun’s light to reach earth, which implies the sunset we see is the past image of the sun. Secondly, the movie illustrates a pinball machine. The player of the game thought he was very skillful at playing pinball because of his experience, but later on, he actually discovered that the machine was twisted in a manner that the ball would keep coming out even if he lost the game. In the third example, the movie shows a ride in Disneyland. A car exists in Disneyland where there is a car ride where children drive, or quite, it seems to be driven. The car is on a rail and is driven by a machine automatically. However, the child is given a fantasy that he/ she is the one who has full control over the car. In all the examples, the way we see and judge the world is mostly reliant on our view. Because of our perception, we are not capable of seeing the truth. My example to this suggestion is how we look at our environment. When we look at a flat road, we usually see a rather smooth road, but when we look at it from a far place as the sky, we see that it is in a bent shape. It demonstrates that what we see may not be a real form. The “Maya” movie provides a good example about what we should think more decisively about how we see the world. Q. 13 Ken Wilber gives his opinions on how humans came into existence. He mentions that, at one point of history, the world was only made of atoms that just wandered around when all of a sudden a single membrane drops around the atoms and they combine to make a molecule. In the process, the molecules developed to become cells and a molecule came around to change them. Next, he explains that this process went on and produced human beings. Next, he claims that this process was for the reason of “love.” The reason why David Lane is so critical of this idea is because it is not just science. What is science? Science is objective thinking to discover the people truth of the surroundings. However, in Wilber’s view, “Love” is defined is a feeling that a person experiences when he/she has affection to someone or something. “Feelings” are possibly the most subjective idea that we can have and this certainly does not fit the implication of science. In his writing, he further describes that a membrane drops on molecules and a single cell that is “alive” emerges and is able to reproduce. Where is the proof that the cell is “alive and how they “reproduce?” He only claims the existence of the cells and does not present any evidence or clarification to how they formed. David Lane is significant because there is so a lot of information out there about evolution so when Wilber would be off-side the algorithmic sequence or make errors about Neo-Darwinists beliefs; it is hard to take seriously. Works Cited George, Boolos. "A New Proof of the Gödel Incompleteness Theorem", Notices of the American Mathematical Society. 1989, (36) pp. 388–390. Logic, Logic, and Logic, Harvard Univ. Press. Jean, van Heijenoort. From Frege to Gödel: A Source Book in Mathematical Logic, 1967. Harvard University Press, Cambridge Mass. Read More