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Moonduck · 07-31-2003, 02:07 PM

"No problems accepting telekinesis, but you're demanding that omniscience always leads to telekinesis so your BIAV can always assure itself of a beer supply. "

Really? I said that omniscience always leads to telekinesis? I could've sworn that I didn't when I rerad my post a second or two ago. =)

I will reiterate this once more. It is a ludicrous argument. It is ludicrous because it contains such elements as omniscience, omnipotence, and a brain-in-a-vat what desires a brewski. It is, however, wonderful exercise to mentally work on these things, so why not?

Let's say that you are omniscient. You, by definition, know everything. Everything is a lot. A whole lot (Having written that, I feel like Dave Barry). Let's aslo assume, since you dislike the idea, that knowing everything about the human mind doesn't automatically allow you to untap portions of unused potential relating to telekinesis and telepathy. No sweat, right?

Knowing everything presumes that you know things far beyond the ken of mortal, modern man. Now, let's look at the odds. The universe is a damned big place. Really big (there's that Dave Barry feeling again). Mathematically, do you think we're the only planet with advanced life on it? Positing an infinite universe is standard fare these days, and, mathematically, one should find it easy to accept not only other advanced life, but life with culture, science, etc far in advance of ours. Returning to you and your omniscience, you know all about this advanced life and every other advanced lifeform, and everything about its' society and culture. An infinite universe is pretty much guaranteed to have a society what has taught itself the mighty powers of the mind. You now have that knowledge. You teach yourself TK and never have to get up to grab a PBR again.

You are on the right track in saying that omnipotence may lead to omniscience, but I'm not sure how you can accept one without it leading to the other. Omniscience is an absolute, thus it is a pretty big concept. You say that you can know things and not be able to do them. I say that if you know everything, you will know some way to do whatever it is you want to do.

Personally, I find both to be boring. What fun is it to know everything or to be able to do everything? Takes the challenge out of life.

Still, you might want to reread my post. I don't see it as demanding anything. More of having a sort of light bantering tone...

07-31-2003, 02:07 PM	#47 (permalink)
Moonduck Junkie Location: SE USA	"No problems accepting telekinesis, but you're demanding that omniscience always leads to telekinesis so your BIAV can always assure itself of a beer supply. " Really? I said that omniscience always leads to telekinesis? I could've sworn that I didn't when I rerad my post a second or two ago. =) I will reiterate this once more. It is a ludicrous argument. It is ludicrous because it contains such elements as omniscience, omnipotence, and a brain-in-a-vat what desires a brewski. It is, however, wonderful exercise to mentally work on these things, so why not? Let's say that you are omniscient. You, by definition, know everything. Everything is a lot. A whole lot (Having written that, I feel like Dave Barry). Let's aslo assume, since you dislike the idea, that knowing everything about the human mind doesn't automatically allow you to untap portions of unused potential relating to telekinesis and telepathy. No sweat, right? Knowing everything presumes that you know things far beyond the ken of mortal, modern man. Now, let's look at the odds. The universe is a damned big place. Really big (there's that Dave Barry feeling again). Mathematically, do you think we're the only planet with advanced life on it? Positing an infinite universe is standard fare these days, and, mathematically, one should find it easy to accept not only other advanced life, but life with culture, science, etc far in advance of ours. Returning to you and your omniscience, you know all about this advanced life and every other advanced lifeform, and everything about its' society and culture. An infinite universe is pretty much guaranteed to have a society what has taught itself the mighty powers of the mind. You now have that knowledge. You teach yourself TK and never have to get up to grab a PBR again. You are on the right track in saying that omnipotence may lead to omniscience, but I'm not sure how you can accept one without it leading to the other. Omniscience is an absolute, thus it is a pretty big concept. You say that you can know things and not be able to do them. I say that if you know everything, you will know some way to do whatever it is you want to do. Personally, I find both to be boring. What fun is it to know everything or to be able to do everything? Takes the challenge out of life. Still, you might want to reread my post. I don't see it as demanding anything. More of having a sort of light bantering tone...