Originally posted by humyThat's an assumed knowledge, not an assured knowledge.
no, because we have observed the universe and seen it isn't empty.
Occum's razor doesn't directly apply to a hypotheses which we already know the truth value of.
In light of the complexity involved with both scenarios, i.e., one in which a highly complex and interdependent system randomly appears from nowhere and nothing over against one in which the entire scene is an exercise established for a higher purpose and reality by a Mind, whichever of the two offers the simplest answers is likely the correct one.
Originally posted by FreakyKBHI think the existence of the universe is pretty much assured. You may take it as an assumption that you exist, but it is in philosophy considered the only thing we can be relatively sure of
That's an assumed knowledge, not an assured knowledge.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cogito_ergo_sum
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Originally posted by FreakyKBHDo you mean the universe is a conspiracy?
That's an assumed knowledge, not an assured knowledge.
In light of the complexity involved with both scenarios, i.e., one in which a highly complex and interdependent system randomly appears from nowhere and nothing over against one in which the entire scene is an exercise established for a higher purpose and reality by a Mind, whichever of the two offers the simplest answers is likely the correct one.
Seriously, Occam never said the simplest explanation is the correct one.
"In science, Occam's razor is used as a heuristic guide in the development of theoretical models, rather than as a rigorous arbiter between candidate models.[1][2] In the scientific method, Occam's razor is not considered an irrefutable principle of logic or a scientific result; the preference for simplicity in the scientific method is based on the falsifiability criterion. (wikipedia: Occam)
A heuristic technique (/hjᵿˈrɪstᵻk/; Ancient Greek: εὑρίσκω, "find" or "discover" ), often called simply a heuristic, is any approach to problem solving, learning, or discovery that employs a practical method not guaranteed to be optimal or perfect, but sufficient for the immediate goals. Where finding an optimal solution is impossible or impractical, heuristic methods can be used to speed up the process of finding a satisfactory solution. Heuristics can be mental shortcuts that ease the cognitive load of making a decision. Examples of this method include using a rule of thumb, an educated guess, an intuitive judgment, guesstimate, stereotyping, profiling, or common sense.(Wikipedia: Heuristic)
Originally posted by twhiteheadExistence isn't in doubt (as you stated, we are thinking), but status of said existence is an open secret.
I think the existence of the universe is pretty much assured. You may take it as an assumption that you exist, but it is in philosophy considered the only thing we can be relatively sure of
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cogito_ergo_sum