All Questions
19
questions
4
votes
2
answers
143
views
Is there a philosophical or mathematical proof for "For any observation or claim, there's an infinite number of assumptions we presume to be true?"
Is there a philosophical or mathematical proof for "For any observation or claim, there's an infinite number of assumptions we presume to be true?"
It doesn't seem to make any sense, but ...
- 4,249
1
vote
1
answer
190
views
Should proofs of God involve the infinitary language ℒ(∞,∞)?
If God is an infinite being (per Scotus, say), and if no finite number of steps in an argument is adequate to the scope of the divine majesty, then the strictures of monadic theism aside (God as a ...
- 16.7k
6
votes
6
answers
2k
views
Can a totally ordered set with a last element but no first element exist, or is this contradictory?
Can a totally ordered set with a last element but no first element exist, or is this contradictory? An example of such a set would be a set that is ordered from largest to smallest, with there being ...
- 695
2
votes
7
answers
377
views
Applying logic to the question of whether all of existence is infinite or not
Here, I use to exist as generally as possible; if it is an object, it exists; if it is conceivable, it exists; if it is anything, it exists; even the properties and relations themselves exist. ...
- 148
-4
votes
1
answer
247
views
Problem with infinity? [closed]
Note: See PART 2 for a better question.
1 kg of matter has infinite number of parts. Infinite number of things together can make an infinite amount of matter. 1 kg is not equal to infinite amount. We ...
- 77
6
votes
1
answer
260
views
Is there such a thing as ωth-order infinitary logic?
I've seen references to ωth-order logic sprinkled (sparsely) throughout my studies, though what properties this has compared to and contrasted with nth-order logics I wouldn't be able to tell you (I'm ...
- 16.7k
1
vote
3
answers
342
views
The concept of infinite past [closed]
Is it possible to give an a priori answer to whether or not an infinite past is possible?
- 19
-3
votes
2
answers
1k
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Can you divide the natural numbers in half sequentially? [closed]
My brief stint on SE has been quite interesting because it forced me to make the premises of my inquiry more explicit. I resisted this initially simply for reasons of economy, but economy proved to be ...
- 13
2
votes
10
answers
1k
views
How is it possible for an infinite number of moments to have elapsed prior to now?
In the context of the cosmological argument: How is it possible for an infinite number of equal length moments to have elapsed prior to now?
For more context . . I have read several discussions, ...
- 123
-3
votes
1
answer
306
views
A concept in which an infinite force is also limited
Edit (complete rewrite):
OK so I'm completely rephrasing the question.
Let's begin with declaring the concept in hand - A is an infinite, willing, creation force.
A "wants" to create all the ...
- 4,020
5
votes
7
answers
2k
views
What are the best arguments against actual infinity?
What are the best arguments against the coherence of this concept? It seems that a great many people these days take for granted its coherence, but I am not so sure.
It seems to me that, at least in ...
- 141
13
votes
5
answers
834
views
Do all epistemologies suffer from the "regress of justifications" problem?
Aristotle describes the regress problem in his logical work Posterior Analytics I.2:
b5. Some hold that, owing to the necessity of knowing the primary premisses, there is no scientific knowledge. ...
- 8,260
6
votes
5
answers
2k
views
How does actual infinity (of numbers or space) work?
Is infinity just continuous generation of numbers, or can space be actually infinite? If it is finite can we see it expand if we went to the edge?
When I say "I am counting to infinity" does it mean ...
- 61
1
vote
4
answers
556
views
Does a beginning imply an ending? (In regards to the universe)
In regards to the universe if it said to have a start (Beginning) does that imply that it will have an end? Are beginning and ends implied when either ones is said to be true of a proposition or can ...
- 2,373
4
votes
5
answers
832
views
Why is mathematics fond of infinity, but dismissive towards partially (un)defined operations?
One main reason why the law of excluded middle can fail is that some operations are simply undefined in some contexts. This doesn't even mean that they are undefinable in principle, it just means that ...
- 4,019