[MD] Probability

[pholden at davtv.com]

Quoting Case <Case at iSpots.com>:

> [Case]
> I am pretty sure that we can't be "certain" of anything. It would take a lot
> to convince me otherwise, and that the bottom line.

You are certain "it would take a lot to convince me otherwise." Your "bottom
line" is where doubt ceases and certainty prevails. 

> [Platt]
> Why do you consider the reality of consciousness to be a "problem?"
> 
> [Case]
> I am not sure what you mean by consciousness. But I do not recall saying
> anything about it.

The certainty of the existence of your consciousness is the absolute condition for
your doubts about certainty. You are certain that you're conscious aren't you?

> > [Case]
> > Not at all. That is what I said: knowledge gleaned for our senses is all
> > the knowledge of reality we have.
> 
> [Platt]
> So what's the problem?
> 
> [Case]
> I may not know what you are asking but sense data is secondary to physical
> reality. Some here maintain that physical reality does not exist at all
> apart from our internal representations of it. I agree that all we can ever
> know anything about is our internal representation but I still think there
> is something out there being represented.

This debate has been going on since philosphy began without any resolution 
in sight. I think philosphy gets a bad name for endless debate about things
like this that make no difference in people's everyday lives. Whether the 
real world disappears when I turn my back on it or not isn't a problem. Whether
we should nuke North Korea or not before they nuke us -- that's a problem.

Having said that, debating whether I exist or not if nobody observes me is a lot
of fun. 


    

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