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Question: Hi, I was wondering about a bioethical issue that's really important today- abortion. Most of the debate about abortion revolves around when life begins, so I was wondering when most scientist's believe that life begins, since you obviously would know more about this subject. You don't have to give your moral beliefs or anything, but I would just like to know when you think that life begins... Thanks! =) Amit Srivastava Answer 1: This is an important topic, but even (or especially) for a scientist you and I must realize that my "moral beliefs" will affect the kind of...

GÖDEL AND THE NATURE OF MATHEMATICAL TRUTH II [7.27.05]A Talk with Verena Huber-Dyson I doubt that pure philosophical discourse can get us anywhere. Maybe phenomenological narrative backed by psychological and anthropological investigations can shed some light on the nature of Mathematical Truth. As to Beauty in mathematics and the sciences, here speaks Sophocles' eyewitness in Antigone: "..... Why should I make it soft for you with tales to prove myself a liar? Truth is Right." Princeton, 1950sEinstein & Gödel Photo by Oskar Morgenstern, Institute of Advanced Study Archives A true Realist, a true Platonist will not stoop to choose...

Random thoughts on the passing scene: Usually I like four-star hotels better than five-star hotels. The four-star hotels tend to be comfortable and attractive places with amenities, but without the pretentiousness and fussiness of five-star hotels. It is amazing how many problems are caused by the simple fact that somebody could not be bothered to listen. Why do we keep pretending that we know how to control child molesters after they are released from prison? How many more children must be killed before we face the plain reality that, if it is dangerous to let child molesters out of prison,...

A 17-year old Nigerian on work experience with one of Britain's rail companies helped save her employer thousands of pounds when she identified what was causing their trains to run late. Ade Sodeinde, who arrived in Britain last September, was working at Central Trains' depot in Tyseley, Birmingham. The youngster discovered crews were not boarding the trains on time, delaying departures from the depot and holding up waiting passengers. The analysis prompted Central Trains to recruit extra staff and get track upgraded. A company spokeswoman said the savings will be in the order of 750,000 pounds, because the firm is...

A structural lesson seems in order for fringe America and it's judiciary: Of this... And this... This... ... is a rational connection! Judge Richard Kramer has demonstrated himself to be incompetent in matters of law, and an imbecile when it comes to logic. In his ruling, Monday, striking down California laws that limit marriage to "a man and a woman..." he stated that, "No rational basis exists for limiting marriage in this state to opposite-sex partners..." Ignoring for an instant the historic condition of unification, which in itself constitutes rational or logical establishment of a cultural definition, the natural mechanism...

In todays society it not an easy task to raise two daughters. The influences from the secularist culture pose a war that most people lack the enthusiasm to fight. Tolerance were told is the key to liberal utopia, and this of course is the only right way to think. Basically, all of us Jesus freaks who are too stupid to understand how the world really works, should turn a blind eye to the departing virtue of logic, and moral values. The idea that the left holds a monopoly on logic and moral values used to make me laugh. But in...

February 14, 2005CONNECTIONSTruth, Incompleteness and the Gödelian Way By EDWARD ROTHSTEIN John Patrick NaughtonRebecca Goldstein's new book is about the mathematician Kurt Gödel. elativity. Incompleteness. Uncertainty. Is there a more powerful modern Trinity? These reigning deities proclaim humanity's inability to thoroughly explain the world. They have been the touchstones of modernity, their presence an unwelcome burden at first, and later, in the name of postmodernism, welcome company.Their rule has also been affirmed by their once-sworn enemy: science. Three major discoveries in the 20th century even took on their names. Albert Einstein's famous Theory (Relativity), Kurt Gödel's famous Theorem (Incompleteness)...

Im a conservative...and still struggle with the idea of whether or not to be a Christian. I find more in common with Ayn Rand's view that "rational thinking" is man's only absolute. Is there anything wrong with this thinking?

Atheism is the world view that denies the existence of God. More specifically, traditional atheism argues that there never was and never will be a God. But is this position rationally justifiable? Atheism positively affirms that there is no God. But can the atheist be certain of this claim? You see, to know that a transcendent God does not exist would require a perfect knowledge of all things (omniscience). To attain this knowledge you would have to have simultaneous access to all parts of the universe (omnipresence). Therefore, as an atheist, to be certain of this claim you would have...

How do these people reproduce? Do they have the capacity for love? Why doesn't logic pertain to their philosophy?

The HTLM Worm ! Half-truth virus corrupts human logic ! You can show your teacher this one, perhaps you can teach them a thing a two about logic, and how it can be corrupted. Here are some classic examples of how logic has been corrupted by the "half-truth logical" worm; The HTLM worm. ------ 1. Child Abuse - "Men who abuse, women and children victims" (HTLM Worm #1) That should be some men, some women and some children who abuse and children victims, including children who abuse themselves. The model of abuse is not only based on part of the...

It appears the Brits have climbed the Cliffs of Insanity and taken a collective nosedive into the River of Outright Absurdity. My friend, author Michael Z. Williamson, and I used to laugh about Britain, their unreasonable ban on armed self defense and their hysterical attempts to further correct the problems caused by said ban by implementing yet more stringent and bizarre restraints on people's rights. Mike was born in the UK. I used to kid him about the future of Great Britain. I used to tell him that soon, sharp implements will be banned, and people will be forced to...

Gödel and Einstein: Friendship and RelativityBy PALLE YOURGRAU In the summer of 1942, while German U-boats roamed in wolf packs off the coast of Maine, residents in the small coastal town of Blue Hill were alarmed by the sight of a solitary figure, hands clasped behind his back, hunched over like a comma with his eyes fixed on the ground, making his way along the shore in a seemingly endless midnight stroll. Those who encountered the man were struck by his deep scowl and thick German accent. Speculation mounted that he was a German spy giving secret signals to enemy...

In a study of logic, there is something which we call "undecidable propositions" or "meaningless sentences", which are statements that cannot be determined because there is no contextual false. One of the classic examples cited is the Epiminedes' paradox. Saul Kripke says: Ever since Pilate asked, "What is truth?" (John XVIII, 38), the subsequent search for a correct answer has been inhibited by another problem, which, as is well known, also arises in a New Testament context. If, as the author of the Epistle to Titus supposes (Titus I, 12), a Cretan prophet, "even a prophet of their own," asserted...

"He who is the cause of another becoming powerful is ruined" Says Machiavelli in "The Prince." While I wish Vice President Cheney a swift recovery and a quick return to presiding over a divided senate, I cannot help but think about the choice President Bush might make, should he ever be called upon to name Cheney's successor. Since W will not have to face re-election, his choices are almost limitless. There is the "rub their nose in it" choice, like a Bork or a Quayle. There is the 2008 candidate like a strong Republican woman... a Condi or a Lynne...

Bad Conclusions ================ Below are a few examples of bad reasoning causing bad conclusions. Though humorous, the principles are based in truth. IGNORING THE ADVICE OF EXPERTS WITHOUT GOOD REASON: Example: Sure, the experts say you shouldn't ride a bicycle in the eye of a hurricane, but I have my own theory. FOLLOWING THE ADVICE OF KNOWN IDIOTS: Example: Uncle Horace says eating pork makes you smarter. That's good enough for me. REACHING BIZARRE CONCLUSIONS WITHOUT ANY INFORMATION: Example: My car won't start. I'm certain the spark plugs have been stolen by rogue clowns. FAULTY PATTERN RECOGNITION: Example: His last...

  ----Original Message----From:  Joyce MorrisonSent:  11/4/2004 2:34:45 PM Pacific Standard TimeSubject:  Morrison:  The Fine Art of Persuasion   This is the unedited version.  Edit left out where the Attorney General and U.S. Attorney  turned their backs on the corruption.  The FBI took a peek and agreed there was fraud but quietly backed away.  A young man has taken months of gathering facts and figures and has evidence on top of evidence of wrong doing but no one will listen. Joyce   ----- Original Message ----- From: J Morrison   As I sat in the lovely auditorium of our high...

Posted by politmuse1 Added to homepage Wed Nov 03rd 2004, 01:20 AM ET I tried earlier, and no one wanted to believe it. Maybe now you do? *THE FIX IS IN.* If we're afraid to call it as is, there's no chance we'll ever see democracy or a Democrat elected in this country every again. PLEASE WAKE UP AND SMELL THE ROSES. Here are some facts: (1) All exit polls had Kerry ahead in in FL and OH. (2) All Democrats were completely confident, based (I'm sure) on internal polls. Kennedy said Kerry won. He was sure. So was the...

EDWARDS DEFIES LOGICON SUNDAY SHOWSAsserts Saddam “Imminent Threat,” Belittles Afghanistan Democracy And Acknowledges Can’t Pay For Campaign Promises_________________________________________EDWARDS PROCLAIMS SADDAM HUSSEINA “VERY SERIOUS THREAT” Huh?  So This Edwards Supports The President On The War In Iraq?  Even Russert Is Confused!  RUSSERT: “I think what confuses people, Senator, is that there seems to be a difference in rhetoric and emphasis. Back in October of 2002, you voted to authorize the country to go to war. In fact, you said this about Saddam: ‘I think Iraq is the most serious and imminent threat to our country.’ ‘The most serious and imminent threat...

We hear a lot in this Presidential campaign about 30-year-old events. People change a lot in 30 years, we're told, and that is true, although liberals certainly don't want us to think it's true about Bush. So let's have a little fun looking 30 years into the future, shall we? Let's say that 30 years in the future, Pfc. Lynndee England, the girl in the Abu Ghraib photos, were to be a candidate for President. Would you consider supporting her? Or does Abu Ghraib reveal character failings that are disqualifying? If your answer is that you would not support her,...