an Exercise in Logic and metaphysics

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Reply Sun 4 Jan, 2009 02:56 pm
Im interested in the method of forming logic and would like to know if anyone can help with structuring the following argument:

Introduction

These statements are value based, as such there is the possibility that they could be argued against, denied outright, or could simply be forgotten or 'not considered.' For example, the statement that 'the finite exists' (irrespective of the language barriers) would be irrelevant to a rock, to an animal or to an early human, not in the sense that the argument is right or wrong but in that the value of the idea would be meaningless, nonsensical or pointless to the thoughts, needs and understandings of the subjects, much in the way that the 'truths' of those subjects or even the 'truths' of our future selves would be meaningless to us (This thought can even be extended to the truths between us now as individuals, or the beliefs we held onto throughout the many stages of our lives.).

The difficulty with truth is that every statement must be taken on faith and the value of every statement is only realised through its use. Past causes and effects are not proof that the future will follow the same logic, or that the past is how we remember it. As such we can not make true or false statements of the world around us, we can only utilise methods and where those methods fail to provide us with sufficient results we can change them accordingly.

The following is one such method:

Prologue

A1The Finite Exists;

'Existence' is finite.

Anything defined, labelled, conceived, concocted, expressed, imagined or constructed is finite. In essence, anything we attribute qualities or values to, those qualities and values, define its limitations.

As all finite values are subject to change, the statement is only expected to be of value so long as there exists a sentient mind that accepts the notion. Until then this truth is accepted on the notion that any denial of it holds as much authority as the statement itself.

A2All Limitations are Structures and all Structures are Limitations;

A3All Structures are Finite;

Every structure or construct, whether mental or physical, is finite.

This is the case because where a subject's qualities and values are defined, they cannot be otherwise. A 'red ball' is red, not blue.

A4Action is Defined as the Change in Value through Space-Time;

Action in our sense of the word is akin to movement. This involves a change of some kind between individual parts, within the qualitative structure of space-time.

Change is only apparent to those that perceive the initial values and identities to begin with and the values and identities that they become.

If change is not perceived there is no change.

A5The Measure of Action is Qualitative and therefore Finite;

Action itself is a concept. It does not exist in the separate sense of the word, only in regards to the changes in qualities and values between interdependent parts.

A6For the Finite to have come about Selectively as Opposed to the Product of Infinite Potentiality, there would have to be a Structure in place to Discriminate as to what could Exist and what could Not Exist;

A7If the Limitation is Imposed by a Third Party then that particular Party must be Finite as to Discriminate is a Qualitative Action and Contradictory to the Unqualitative Nature of the Infinite;

If this structure were to be infinite in duration then there would be a point within that structure that would contain the potential to allow exceptions. Given an infinite duration, all exceptions would be possible. Thus there would be no distinctions to Infinite potential anyway, however the idea of an original structure might be ruled out by Occam's razor.

A8Thus a Spectrum of Infinite Potentiality must Exist;

Nothing qualitative can be said of the Infinite. Instead we can only considered it in relation to the finite. This relationship is 'Infinite Potentiality.' Infinite Potentiality can be considered as the statistical probability that a finite thing could 'exist.'

Part 1

1The Infinite IS;

There is no way to avoid mentioning the infinite in a non-value-based way without contradiction; however by accepting the existence of the finite we automatically accept the existence of the infinite by way of necessity.

2By Way of the Infinite, Infinite Potential IS;

3By Way of Infinite Potential, the Finite IS;

4This Dynamic Relationship is the Essence of Eternal Action.

Here 'Eternal Action' is considered as the infinite causal of the finite. The finite will infinitely be, yet to the finite there is division, change, value and ultimately an 'end' to its existence.

The finite cannot be considered an 'illusion' as this creates the idea of a 'real' state of things, but it's the thought itself that brings about the limitations and values. Any idea of a 'real' state of things is just as 'illusory' as the 'illusion' itself.

Part 2

5With the Finite Arises Value and Awareness;

By Nature, the Finite is Qualitative and Limited.

Because the Finite is Qualitative, There must be that which Defines its Qualities and limitations; This is the Antithesis (a Dual Aspect of the Finite).

6By Nature, the Finite is Division;

7Awareness is the Field of Value;

Without Awareness, Value cannot be Established; Without Value, There is No Distinction between Forms and thus Nothing to be Aware of.

8The Distinctions in Value are Actualised by way of the Limitations of the Finite;

The Finite is the Whole, Yet Concerned with the Parts. Realisation of the Whole would Reintegrate the Constituent Parts and the Finite would be the Infinite.

Through Value and Awareness, the World of Form is Actualised and Eternal Action is Perceived as Qualitative Action or Change.

9The Distinctions in Value Constitutes the World of Form.

Further Disintegration Creates Structural Integrity.

10The World of Form IS the World of Identities.
 
VideCorSpoon
 
Reply Sun 4 Jan, 2009 04:45 pm
@Empty Mind24,
What I can say about your logical structure is that you are attempting a synthetic proof. This is actually a real form of philosophical discourse opposed to analytical philosophy. In a synthetic proof, you follow from a set of pre-determined axioms and derive all your conclusions from essentially the end. Spinoza in Ethics does much the same thing I believe you are doing. He starts out with definitions and pre-determined axioms to derive his propositions. To understand this further, you can compare it with analytical philosophy which essentially starts from the ground up and proves something after all the premises have been examined.

But what exactly how do you want to structure your argument? You can easily do it through propositional logic. You could also do it through predicate logic as well, essentially proving your argument through syntactical formulae. But with the way you are setting up your argument (Prologue,part 1, and part 2) you would probably be best to do it the way Spinoza did it.

This is a link to a wiki that does a pretty good job of summarizing the definitions, axioms, and propositions in a easy to read way. Specifically, look at part 1.

http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Ethics_(Spinoza)
 
Empty Mind24
 
Reply Mon 5 Jan, 2009 02:24 am
@VideCorSpoon,
Thanks heaps VideCorSpoon, i think this is exactly what i was looking for. i havent read spinoza yet but from what ive seen so far i think it warrants further investigation.

Empty Mind
 
jgweed
 
Reply Mon 5 Jan, 2009 08:39 am
@Empty Mind24,
The structure of the argument is awkward, and could be helped by clearly indicating which propositions were to be assumed (axiomatic or by definition), and which were conclusions based on these premises. Words, moreover, are seemingly used in special Senses and never defined.
The real problem involved, though, is in showing how the argument applies not just to physical occasions, but to mental as well. Then there is the problem with saying everything is Finite, but then there is something called Essence of Eternal Action which seems to imply Action, or its "essence" is Eternal (not finite).
There seem to be, as I understand it, several different arguments---or at least conclusions and sub-conclusions---going on at the same time, but without any kind of structure to make the links clear to the reader. What role do the following play in the argument, for example:"Way of the Infinite, Infinite Potential IS;By Way of Infinite Potential, the Finite IS;"
 
 

 
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