[MD] Chance

[craigerb at comcast.net]

 [Micah]
> We have evidence of A - the universe exists.
> We have absolutely no evidence of B - [nothingness] exists.

[Ham]
> From a conceptual viewpoint, you must first determine what it is that 
> "exists".

What is this "determining what it is that 'exists'" which must preceed
evidence of what exists?

[Ham]
> are we willing to say that experience exists?

Yes, experience exists whenever it occurs.

[Ham]
[Nothingness existing] is self-contradictory by definition.

Suppose the universe consists of an equal number of + & -
particles.  One by one they collide & annilate each other.
Can our language guarantee that the last + particle cannot
collide with that last - particle?

 [dmb]
> why couldn't the universe come into existence
> from something rather than nothing?

[Ham]
> It had to, of course.

Or NOT.

[dmb]
 > Why couldn't the universe come into existence from something other
> than the universe?

[Ham]
> it happens to be the creation hypothesis I constructed for Essence.

But what evidence could you have for this "something other than the universe"?
Craig