Thanks Zeshan. Thanks much for the very important clarification and the distinction between ground of existence and existence itself. Omer On Fri, Aug 9, 2013 at 7:27 AM, Zeshan Shahbaz <zshahbaz@xxxxxxxx> wrote: > Eid Mubarak Omer! Hope you get better soon! For sure, and also we'll > skype/conference call you in at our next meeting. > > //I like your prrof of God...It kind seems in a way a proof of Mulla Sadra > regarding God being existence itself.// > > I just like to clarify that I never stated or concluded that God is > existence but rather argued that God is the very cause/ground of (all) > existence. You may refer to my short tract: > http://optagon.page.tl/Concise-Proofs-of-God-and-Consciousness.htm > > Btw just to remind everyone on this email list -- to share with the IHR > list email to ihr_list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx , but if one wants to correspond > directly with someone from this list then email the individual only, thanks! > > Peace, > > > Zeshan Shahbaz > IHR > higherreasoning@xxxxxxxx > http://instituteofhigherreasoning.page.tl/ > https://www.facebook.com/instituteofhigherreasoning > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: Omer Abid > > Sent: 08/08/13 01:29 PM > > To: ihr_list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx > > Subject: [ihr_list] Re: My facebook discussion > > Salams Zeshan, > > Eid mubarak ....thanks much for sharing the exhange between you and Gener > Kopf... > > It was a little deep for me but partly because I am recovering from a bad > allergy (hay fever). > > I hope we can skype and you kindly break it down for me step by step....I > like your prrof of God...It kind seems in a way a proof of Mulla Sadra > regarding God being existence itself. > > On Thu, Aug 8, 2013 at 9:32 AM, Zeshan Shahbaz <zshahbaz@xxxxxxxx> wrote: >> >> I thought I'd share a copy of an interesting discussion I had on an >> atheist facebook page ( >> https://www.facebook.com/AtheistRepublic/posts/648970805129850?comment_id=7242314&offset=0&total_comments=26) >> most specifically with Gene Kopf. >> Below is the uncluttered copy of the discussion ( >> http://instituteofhigherreasoning.page.tl/Facebook-discussion-on-God.htm) >> between me and Gene Kopf. This was triggered by, and concerning, my >> tract:: >> http://optagon.page.tl/Concise-Proofs-of-God-and-Consciousness.htm Feel >> free to comment! >> >> Copy of discussion: >> >> *Zeshan Shahbaz* posted to Atheist Republic >> April 15 at 7:19pm >> >> http://optagon.page.tl/Concise-Proofs-of-God-and-Consciousness.htm >> >> *Zeshan Shahbaz* //By your logic, the 'prime mover' should also need a >> mover right? Your argument falls flat right there.// >> >> It doesn’t seem you read my tract. There is no ‘special pleading’ as it >> has been logically showed that the objectless plane of existence is >> immovable, limitless, eternal, etc – so by its very nature it cannot be >> moved to ‘be’ – while all things are moved to ‘be’ proceeding from the very >> objectless plane of existence. This conclusion isn’t complicated. >> April 15 at 7:31pm >> >> *Gene Kopf* Consciousness is information processing. Information >> processing is entropic. Thus, consciousness cannot be eternal. >> >> The prime mover argument fails for the following reasons: >> >> 1) Time and space began with the Big Bang. Causation requires time, so >> discussig causation before time and space is nonsensical. >> >> 2) Not everything has a cause. Quantum mechanics and nondeterministic >> methods show this and even use this fact. >> >> 3) Sayingthat the cause has no cause shows something without a cause, >> which invalidates the argument. This is the hazard of the fallacy of >> special pleading. >> April 15 at 9:03pm via mobile >> >> *Gene Kopf* Oh, immovable violates relativity, and limitless is >> infinite, yet nothing has ever been shown to be infinite. >> >> What you're trying is an ontological argument, but ontological arguments >> always fail because they use rationalization, which is a form of logic and >> thus a form of mathematics. All mathematical models depend on the initial >> axioms. In order for your axioms to be valid, you must testably and >> predictively demonstrate that the axioms for your model (your assumptions) >> are correct, which you have not done. >> >> Let me show you a counterexample ontological argument. >> >> 1) God is the source of everything. >> 2) Nothing is the source of god. >> 3) Therefore, God is the universal set. >> 4) The universal set has been shown to be impossible. >> 5) Therefore, God doesn't exist >> >> The flaw in both your arguments and the above arguuments is that the >> assumptions (axioms) haven't been shown to be valid. >> April 15 at 9:08pm via mobile >> >> *Zeshan Shahbaz* Gene Kopf, >> >> Thanks for responding. >> >> //1) God is the source of everything. >> >> 2) Nothing is the source of god. >> 3) Therefore, God is the universal set. >> 4) The universal set has been shown to be impossible. >> 5) Therefore, God doesn't exist >> >> The flaw in both your arguments and the above arguuments is that the >> assumptions (axioms) haven't been shown to be valid.// >> >> With the above example you are correct, the above axioms haven’t been >> shown to be true – however with mine the premises are true. It is by way of >> induction that we know something is moving anything (that is moving) >> continuously. And it is by way of deduction we know that the prime mover is >> the objectless plane. And again it is not special pleading as it has been >> logically showed that the objectless plane of existence is immovable, >> limitless, eternal, etc – so by its very nature it cannot be moved to ‘be’ >> – while all things are moved to ‘be’ proceeding from the very objectless >> plane of existence. For a little more details you may also refer to my >> video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8U0D-gl8c0o >> >> Btw I am definitely not appealing to authority regarding the >> arguments that I’ve outlined but I just like to mention that interestingly >> enough Newton came to this same conclusion: "Space is an affection of a >> being just as a being. No being exists or can exist which is not related to >> space in some way. God is everywhere, created minds are somewhere, and body >> is in the space that it occupies; and whatever is neither everywhere nor >> anywhere does not exist. And hence it follows that space is an emanative >> effect of the first existing being, for if any being whatsoever is posited, >> space is posited." >> "Space is the Sensorium of God." [i.e. Space is the Mind of God] -Sir >> Isaac Newton (Opticks) >> April 16 at 4:31pm >> >> *Gene Kopf* <<It is by way of induction . . .>> >> You cannot make a certain determination by inductive logic, sir. What is >> your methodology to determine that your conclusions are valid. This is what >> separates the scientific method from pure reasoning. In short, you must >> have some empiricism. >> >> <<As it has been logically showed that the objectless plane of existence >> is immovable, limitless, eternal, et cetera>> >> You haven't demonstrated that your axioms are valid. Again, you haven't >> addressed my criticisms, in addition to a few new ones. >> 1) Nothing has ever been shown to be infinite (that is, limitless) in >> reality. As a matter of fact, since infinity shows lack of bijectivity, >> whenever one encounters infinities in a mathematical model of reality, it >> means that the model has reached its limits. >> 2) Eternal violates entropy - your being cannot think. >> 3) Movement requires time, which began at the universe and again is >> entropic. >> 4) You have not demonstrated that the "objectless plane of existence" >> exists in order to make to valid hypothesis. >> 5) You're attempting to apply causation, yet causation both requires >> spacetime, and not everything requires causation. For instance, we know >> that at a quantum level, causation is not required. >> 6) You have not shown that a causative system is sentient. Indeed, all >> evdience we have is that consciousness requires a information processing >> system, which requires time and entropy, as well as requiring a functional >> matrix. In other words, destroy the brain, and consciousness ends. This >> fits perfectly with all known neurological research. >> 7) 6 leads to the problem of your plane being objectless - there is >> nothing to arrange for informational states. >> You have demonstrated the classic failure of assuming that something >> outside of spacetime is infinite. Sphere is outside of a plane, but that >> doesn't mean that the sphere is infinite. However, some of the qualities of >> the 3D sphere are *undefined* in the 2D space. Please don't make the >> egregious error of conflating infinite with undefined. >> >> In order to have a valid system, you must first show that the axioms you >> are using for your logical deducation are applicable to the beginning of >> everything. >> >> Quoting Newton is an appeal to false authority, as he was not qualified >> to determine deities. He also wasn't aware of the interplay between matter, >> energy, space, time, quantum mechanics and relativity. His system was >> devised exclusively as a model which handled objects of low energy and >> macroscopic size, as your rationalizations also follow. Indeed, your >> argumetn for an immovable object shows that you ginore the principle of >> relativity (even Galilean relativity!), because if you pick an immovable >> object, all that I have to do is move relative to it to make it move. >> >> If you argue that relativity is invalid, you have a very large uphill >> battle which I guarantee will fail. >> >> The difference between valid scientific theories and your hypothesis is >> that theories have means to verify the conclusions, while you do not. You >> have nothing more than armchair conjectures with ad hoc assumptions which >> cannot be tested. >> April 16 at 7:12pm via mobile >> >> *Zeshan Shahbaz* //In short, you must have some empiricism.// >> >> I guess this where our disagreement begins. Reason is basis of knowledge, >> not the other way around. And what is science? Science is based on >> observation and then rational inference from which facts are derived. >> >> //Nothing has ever been shown to be infinite (that is, limitless) in >> reality.// >> >> By way of logic we know that for anything to exist there has to be a >> ground/plane/realm for it. Actually for anything or everything to exist >> (even Einstein’s space-time continuum) there has to be plane for it. Now >> thinking of it abstractly, it is limitless – only a limitless realm is able >> to contain any conceivable thing(s). It is logically shown, and of course >> it cannot be physically shown. If it could be, then it is limited (limited >> by the plane it is contained by) and hence not the First on or in which >> everything is contingent. >> >> //Eternal violates entropy - your being cannot think.// //Movement >> requires time, which began at the universe and again is entropic.// >> >> No, we’re, and every ‘thing’ else is its ‘thought’. Again, it’s not >> complicated, and it’s not meant to be. You have the object-less reality, >> and every thing else is its productive thought. The Object-less Reality >> thinks hence time – time is a measurement that is dependent on this >> realm/plane, as for anything to be measured there has to be a plane for it. >> >> //4) You have not demonstrated that the "objectless plane of existence" >> exists in order to make to valid hypothesis.// >> >> I have demonstrated that. Why can’t you logically deduce that? >> >> //You're attempting to apply causation, yet causation both requires >> spacetime, and not everything requires causation. For instance, we know >> that at a quantum level, causation is not required.// >> >> This is simply a failure of not applying logical inference. Energy >> flitting in and out of existence – what is preceding the energy flitting in >> and out of existence? >> >> //destroy the brain, and consciousness ends. This fits perfectly with all >> known neurological research.// >> >> I completely agree with you here. Did you read my short part on this in >> my tract? I illustrated that there is a law operating (I also constructed a >> diagram to help show how this works at the macro level). >> >> As you know, Reason is based on our understanding of cause and effect >> relationships. Concerning existence, if you take this Reasoning (where I >> hold is the basis of knowledge) to its logical conclusion you end up with >> the very plane/ground of all that exists i.e. ultimate ground of every >> single thing including all points of reference such as all real and >> imagined dimensions. And again, even if one is of the view that we’re bound >> by Einstein’s space-time continuum this continuum, logically, depends on an >> object-less/matter-less plane to exist on or in (“Time and space and >> gravitation have no separate existence from matter.” [Albert Einstein]). >> April 16 at 8:52pm >> >> *Gene Kopf* <<I guess this is where our disagreement begins. Reason is >> the basis of knowledge, not the other way around.>> >> >> Which knowledge? Synthetic knowledge? No - you have to demonstrate that >> your initial axioms match with reality. >> >> The shining success of recent centuries is empiricsm - the testing of >> conjecture against reality, then modifying our thoughts based upon the >> feedback from reality. The success speaks for itself. >> >> Synthetic truth (and that is what you are claiming, unless you are going >> down the road of Platonism) isnt about what anything thinks - it is about >> reality. >> >> <<...there has to be a ground plane/realm for it Actually, for anything >> to exist (even Einstine's space-time continuum), there has to be a plane >> for it.>> >> That sounds like extrinsic geometry. Differential geometry doesn't >> require this. But still, let's continue to your next statement . . . >> >> <<only a limitless realm is able to contain any conievable things>> >> Bullshit. That's a non-sequitor. >> >> <<it is logically shown, and cannot be physically shown>> >> So you're saying that you have taken an arbitrary assumption and hold it >> as truth. That's just a fanycy word for "faith" and admission of failure of >> onus probandi. You've now entered the realm of conjecturing angels on >> pinheads, which is where your medieval rationalization arose. >> >> <<No we're, and everything else, is it's thought.>> >> An unsubstantiated assertion never demonstrated in reality and requiring >> the suspension of demonstrated laws of information theory. Here you go >> touting your opinion as fact. >> >> If eternity existed, a state of maximum entropy would be eventually >> reached, which would mean that all mechanisms which could measure the >> passage of time would fail due to total homegeniety. >> >> Do you realize why any thought is entropic? Do you realize why entropy >> puts limits on time? Do you realize that there has never been a >> demonstrated separation between entropy and time, partially because of the >> clock mechanism paradox? >> >> Your language itself implies a circular logic going on - you discuss the >> action of time to support time. >> >> <<I have demonstrated that. Why can't you logically deduce that?>> >> You certainly have not. Indeed, you just admitted that you have no >> testable, falsifiable or reproducible means to test your assumptions. >> >> <<It is simply a failure of not applying logical inference ... what is >> preceding the enregy flitting in and out of existence>> >> It's a silly statement as nonsensical as the length of the fourth side of >> a triangle. Time are tied together and require each other. Without one, the >> other cannot exist. So your question is meaningless. >> >> The correct procedure in following logical inference is to verify that >> your inference matches up to reality. Oh, wait, you can't do that, by your >> own admission. >> >> <<I completely agree with you...>> >> Except that you don't, because you argue that there is an eternal >> consciousness, for which you cannot demonstrate, which is exempt from this. >> That's special pleading. >> <<As you know, reason is based upon our understanding of cause and effect >> relationships >> and we know that not everything has cause and effect >> relationships--only probabilistic relationships. This really isn't a >> problem, as non-deterministic algorithms are quite viable even on a >> mathematical level. >> <<if you take reasoning (which I hold to be the basis of knowledge)>> >> Thus, your first premise is flawed, thank you. Even by making that >> statement, you are endorsing a particular axiom as well as the axioms of >> whichever set of logic you use (there is more than on type of logic). Your >> justification? Oh yes, your belief. Sorry son, but that's not going to hold >> much sway with me. >> <<all real and imagined dimensions>> >> Ah, the absurd assumption that every conjecture is true. In other words, >> you wish to eschew onus probandi. With that in mind, let's stop abusing the >> word "reason," shall we? >> >> Your little quote from Einstein only discusses the interplay of the >> stress-energy tensor and the curvature of spacetime. Whether it plays upon >> a deeper metric, you haven't demonstrated that the deeper metric is >> infinite or that every possible combination must "exist." >> >> Thank you for playing. You've admitted that you cannot demonstrate that >> your conjectures are true, that you wish us to take your assumptions as >> default "truths" (that's both hubstristic and spookily solipsistic) and to >> accept the demonstrated laws of reality, except when you don't like it >> (which is the very essence of special pleading). >> April 16 at 10:50pm via mobile >> >> *Gene Kopf* Oh, and if you believe in every possible combination, then >> you believe in both the axioms which permit "God" and forbid "God." Oops >> April 16 at 10:56pm via mobile >> >> *Zeshan Shahbaz* //Which knowledge? Synthetic knowledge?// >> >> Splitting of theory of knowledge is erroneous. For sure in the past there >> were people incorrectly concluding on functions of natural physical >> phenomena without actual experimentation – that’s a separate issue. >> >> //<<only a limitless realm is able to contain any conievable things>> >> Bullshit. That's a non-sequitor.// >> >> It is not. I’ll elaborate – say the universe is contained by a space that >> is not limitless, if it isn’t limitless then it must be limited by another. >> If that other space is also not limitless then it is limited by another ad >> infinitum. If this is the case then the universe would not have emerged in >> the first place (from “nothing” as some physicists say [more on this below >> in my further comments]). Logically, there has to be a stop point thus this >> universe (or Einstein’s space-time continuum) existing on a limitless plane >> (or at least stopping at a ‘limitless plane’ in the chain) is the >> logical/practical conclusion. >> >> //<<No we're, and everything else, is it's thought.>> >> An unsubstantiated assertion never demonstrated in reality and requiring >> the suspension of demonstrated laws of information theory. Here you go >> touting your opinion as fact. >> >> If eternity existed, a state of maximum entropy would be eventually >> reached, which would mean that all mechanisms which could measure the >> passage of time would fail due to total homegeniety. >> >> Do you realize why any thought is entropic? …// >> >> These are laws concerning the physical universe – the thought/production >> is simply made to follow these certain laws. Read on. >> >> //<<It is simply a failure of not applying logical inference ... what is >> preceding the enregy flitting in and out of existence>> >> It's a silly statement as nonsensical as the length of the fourth side of >> a triangle. Time are tied together and require each other. Without one, the >> other cannot exist. So your question is meaningless.// >> >> It is not, even physicists acknowledge that empty space/void precedes it. >> Conveniently, some physicists literally label this as “nothing” (from which >> the universe has emerged) – while “nothing” is simply an absence of things >> on or in empty space/void – practically speaking there is no such thing as >> absolute zero or absolute nothingness. Thus the void/empty space is not >> “nothing” but rather is “no thing” from which all (measurable) things >> originate from. >> April 17 at 7:55pm >> >> *Gene Kopf* <<splitting of theory of knowledge is is erroneous>> >> Not at all. Analytic truths allow for conjectures which do not exist in >> reality, or even self-contradictory results, all depending on initial >> assumptions. >> >> You're touting your opinion as fact without justification again. >> <<For sure in the past there were people incorreclty concluding of >> naturaly physical phenomena without experimentation, but that's a separate >> issue.>> >> Pot--meet kettle. That's exactly what you've been trying. >> <<let's say that the universe is contained by a space that is not >> ocntinuous.>> >> First error--you are applying extrincsic geometry. That's your first >> error--differential geometry does not require an external space. >> Next problem - even if you used the implciit forms of functions, all >> arbitrary, abstract dimensions added are set to zero. >> >> You're making a very common mistake by freshmen students of manifolds and >> differnetial geometry. Fortunately, we left that thinking behind a few >> centuries ago. >> >> Again, infinity has never been shown to exist in the universe whatsoever. >> It is striclty a theoretical construct. If you disagree, I await your >> *valid evidenece for your positive assertion.* >> >> <<[entropy and thought] these are laws concerning the physical universe>> >> And you have valid evidence of anything outside of the physical universe >> and that your axioms are correct (including the axioms used for the system >> of logic which you are using?). By definition, you don't. >> >> <<Even physicists acknowledge that empty space/void precedes it>> >> Here you go conflating philosophical nothingness with physical >> nothingness. >> >> Your whole line of discussion skips time/only mentions time, yet again >> going down your Newtonian thought again. >> >> You're going down the road of special pleading by saying certain rules >> apply while other rules don't, all based upon your demands. Essentially, if >> anythign is too inconvenient, you simply argue that the rules don't apply, >> but if you want, you can use other rules to demand that your view holds. >> Well, guess what? The rules of the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle, upon >> which the quantum rules of arisal from nothignness exist, are demonstrated >> from PHYSICAL OBSERVATIONS. Yet, you argue that physical observations don't >> apply when I use them to apply to information theory, whose question you >> never, ever answered. >> >> Really, the rules for information entropy simply arise from the >> mathematical rules of multiplication by zero and division by zero. But you >> didn't try to answer that--you simply did an armchair handwaiving which >> said in way too many words, "this doesn't apply to me." >> >> Call me when you can apply the rules of onus probandi without special >> pleading and touting your opinion as fact. Your Nobel Prize will await. >> April 17 at 8:21pm via mobile >> >> *Zeshan Shahbaz* //<<splitting of theory of knowledge is is erroneous>> >> Not at all. Analytic truths allow for conjectures which do not exist in >> reality, or even self-contradictory results, all depending on initial >> assumptions.// >> >> But that isn’t knowledge. Knowledge is factual information. What you’ve >> described above does not fit this definition of knowledge. >> >> //<<For sure in the past there were people incorreclty concluding of >> naturaly physical phenomena without experimentation, but that's a separate >> issue.>> >> Pot--meet kettle. That's exactly what you've been trying.// >> >> No. Still, these people weren’t negating the fact that things function to >> ‘be’ what they are, this is the rational functioning of the universe (which >> you also admit I assume) – the mistake that some of them made was >> concluding on the details of the functioning without actually experimenting. >> >> //<<let's say that the universe is contained by a space that is not >> ocntinuous.>> >> First error--you are applying extrincsic geometry. That's your first >> error--differential geometry does not require an external space. >> Next problem - even if you used the implciit forms of functions, all >> arbitrary, abstract dimensions added are set to zero. >> >> You're making a very common mistake by freshmen students of manifolds and >> differnetial geometry. Fortunately, we left that thinking behind a few >> centuries ago. >> >> Again, infinity has never been shown to exist in the universe whatsoever. >> It is striclty a theoretical construct. If you disagree, I await your >> *valid evidenece for your positive assertion.*// >> >> Of course infinity or eternity doesn’t exist in the physical universe >> because it is made up of beginnings and ends (i.e. moving/changing at the >> molecular level). By the way mathematics does not describe reality – in >> terms of the universe it is a tool to calculate. >> >> //<<[entropy and thought] these are laws concerning the physical >> universe>> >> And you have valid evidence of anything outside of the physical universe >> and that your axioms are correct (including the axioms used for the system >> of logic which you are using?). By definition, you don't. >> >> <<Even physicists acknowledge that empty space/void precedes it>> >> Here you go conflating philosophical nothingness with physical >> nothingness.// >> >> Okay, kindly explain to me what physical nothingness is? >> >> Btw, I’ll reiterate it is not ‘special pleading’ because logically >> nothing can precede objectless space and thus is immovable. Regarding >> rules, of course everything abides by a rule, even the objectless Reality >> from or on which the ‘physical’ existence emerges, and that is logic. I >> don’t subscribe to that this agent can do anything illogical (i.e. >> producing something that ‘can be’ and ‘not be’ at the same time). >> >> Again, to put this in a nutshell, Reason (understanding that something >> moves or is always moving the moving thing) comes from observing the moving >> universe – this line of reasoning points to the ‘space’ of existence, or >> the very plane which contains every object. >> April 18 at 7:28pm >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> >> From: Higher Reasoning >> >> Sent: 08/05/13 10:25 PM >> >> To: ihr_list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >> >> Subject: [ihr_list] Next IHR Meeting >> >> >> >> Assalaam Alaikum! >> >> >> You have been added to our email list as you expressed interest in the >> projects of the IHR. E-mail to ihr_list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx to post to the IHR >> email list. >> >> >> Below are the links (1-3) to the papers that we encourage you to review >> for our discussion at our next meeting. Time and place of the next meeting >> is to be announced. >> >> >> Thanks! >> >> >> Kind regards, >> >> >> Zeshan Shahbaz >> IHR >> higherreasoning@xxxxxxxx >> http://instituteofhigherreasoning.page.tl/ >> https://www.facebook.com/instituteofhigherreasoning >> >> >> >> >> Reading material: >> >> >> >> 1. Go to http://scigod.com/index.php/sgj/article/view/86 to view the >> following IHR paper: >> >> >> New Proofs for the Existence of God: Part I: The Sesamatic Proof >> Mohammed Muslim >> >> >> Abstract >> >> >> The eternal Imaginer must exist. Without eternity and imagination, >> nothing can come into being. >> >> >> >> >> >> 1. http://www.scribd.com/doc/120915254/God-For-Everyone >> >> >> IHR’s M. Muslim’s book “God For Everyone” >> >> >> >> >> >> 1. http://www.scigod.com/index.php/sgj/article/view/142 >> >> >> Concise Proofs of God & Consciousness >> >> >> Zeshan Shahbaz >> >> >> >> >> For further reading: >> >> >> http://scigod.com/index.php/sgj/article/view/97 >> >> >> New Proofs for the Existence of God (Part II): The Cosmological >> Applications of the Sesamatic Proof >> >> >> Nadeem Haque, M. Muslim >> >> >> >> >> http://scigod.com/index.php/sgj/article/view/98 >> >> >> New Proofs for the Existence of God (Part III): The Teleogenical Proof >> >> >> Nadeem Haque, Mehran Banaei >> >> >> > >