by AllanS » June 1st, 2008, 11:42 pm
I agree about fractals!
It seems to me that if net momentum is zero, so is net energy. If there's no mv, there's no mc2 either. Creation ex nihilo is a tempting conclusion, tho this assumes energy and momentum are the rock-bottom realities, and how could we possibly know that? One of the few things I do know, however, is that absolutely nothing can come from absolutely nothing. If the big bang happened, it happened in a context of some unimaginable kind. This must be an infinite context for two reasons. First, there can be no limit placed on the unimaginable :) Second, if nothing can come from nothing, something has always existed. Some form of absolute existence must be a given. (I think Julian of Norwich had it right with her vision of Christ holding the universe in his hand: "Behold all that I have made.")
Speaking of which, if an all-wise God played a game of chess on a board containing an infinite number of squares, we would never see a move occur unless God himself placed us at the relevant spot. The probability of any move happening close to us would be zero if left to chance. ie. All empirical knowledge is divine revelation.
If we did find ourselves at a spot where action was occurring, most moves would appear random. Some flurries of activity would strongly suggest design, but others would equally suggest a lack of design.
“And turn their grief into song?" he replied. "That would be a gracious act and a good beginning."
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