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From: blew@fozzie.cc.wwu.edu (Barbara Washburn)
Subject: Re: rereRe: The end of god
Message-ID: <blew.783870032@fozzie>
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References: <Cxzo7E.91v@gpu.utcc.utoronto.ca> <Harmon.776.000A2404@psyvax.psy.utexas.edu> <Cy72p4.B1r@gpu.utcc.utoronto.ca> <1994Oct25.052916.3600@gov.nt.ca> <jqbCyo27J.1vr@netcom.com>
Date:  3 Nov 94 13:40:32 GMT
Lines: 48

jqb@netcom.com (Jim Balter) writes:

>Suppose there is a consistent axiomatic system S with sufficient
>expressibility to encode the proposition "S is consistent".  Then, by Goedel,
>that proposition cannot be proved within S.  Yet it most certainly is true and
>is not false.  It can be proved in some system greater than S.  If it could
>not be, then "Suppose there is a consistent axiomatic system S ..." would be
>no more meaningful than "Suppose there is a blue axiomatic system S ...".

>AI programs running on computers, being based upon axiomatic systems, either
>cannot prove that their operational axioms are consistent or, if they can, are
>mistaken.  Of course humans, whether based upon axiomatic systems or not, have
>a similar limitation.  (Actually, I think we can count on any human to be
>inconsistent.  A trivial sort of inconsistency can be seen by asking a proof
>reader to proof a 1000 page manuscript.  After proofing each page, ask whether
>there are any uncorrected errors on that page, and the heartfelt answer will
>be "no".  After finishing the entire work, ask whether there remain any
>uncorrected errors, and the response will be "of course".)

"I am persuaded that God is greater than Logic, 
although not contrary to Logic,... and that He may 
lead and guide us to the end of the road in ways 
superior to any that our intellects can plan. This is 
the blindness of trust, which walks with Him, 
unafraid, into the dark" (Thomas Kelly, 1942).

"In the dark night live those for whom the world without alone is real.
In night darker still live those for whom the world within alone is real.
 The first leads to a life of action, the second, of meditation.
But those who combine action with meditation go across the sea of death
 Through action, and enter into immortality through the practice of meditation.
So have we heard from the wise.

In the dark night live those for whom the Lord is transcendent only.
 In night darker still live those for whom he is immanent only.
But those for whom he is transcendent and immanent cross the sea of death
 With the immanent and enter into the immortality with the transcendent.
So have we heard from the wise" (Isa Upanishad).
                             ,,,
                            (o o)
-=+=-=+=-=+=-=+=-=+=-=+=-ooO-(_)-Ooo-=+=-=+=-=+=-=+=-=+=-=+=-=+
         David M. Washburn, blew@henson.cc.wwu.edu
             The Global Village Meeting House
Perhaps only God can love smart asses! Philosophers don't think
God exists; Theologians wonder whether true philosphers exist!
-=+=-=+=-=+=-=+=-=+=-=+=-=+=-=+=-=+=-=+=-=+=-=+=-=+=-=+=-=+=-=+


