What is a fact?

[das_nut]

The Matrix was a funny movie, how did the people "out" of the Matrix know they weren't really part of a simulation after all?

What constitutes "a fact" depends on the context. In science, for example, "a fact" is an experimental result.

Actually, there's something called the simulation something-or-other (sorry, I should also be posting in the drunk posting thread atm).

Anyways, the theory goes that either 1. cultures blow themselves up before gaining a ton of computer power, 2. cultures don't run simulations, or 3. cultures will run simulations of the past and alternative presents/predictions of the future.

If #1 or #2 is true, then #3 doesn't happen.

If #3 is true, then there's likely many simulations and odds are we're living in one of them.

FWIW, it doesn't change a thing.

 

[ledboots]

But faith is treated as fact too.

Is it? Yes, I guess I never thought of it in quite that way, but yes.

 

[Blobbenstein]

Related: If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?

I think the world outside our perception has some sort of higher dimensional structure. Maybe a structure based upon the different probabilities of what could happen. So the tree in the wood will fall, and it will also remain standing at the same time....bit like the cat in the box thing, but I think it is structured. All the different probabilities, including things that are a googolplex to one and even more unlikely events all happen and are connected in a structure. It is only when one walks through the woods that all these possibilities are resolved into one, and you see the fallen tree, or the landed flying saucer.

The tree in the woods does exert a gravitational attraction to everything else in the Universe, so it is sort of observed that way, but I don't think enough information can pass via gravity waves to resolve all the possibilities.

 

[Blobbenstein]

Perhaps the infinite improbability drive idea in Hitchhiker's Guide is actually how prayers are answered, and miracles happen, analogously....even an event with the tiniest possibility of happening can be the outcome of an observation.......and I think based upon quantum uncertainty, a lot of things are possible.

 

[beancounter]

Related: If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?
If a tree falls in a forest - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I've pondered that question before and came to the conclusion that it's how you define sound:

If sound is just waves in the air, then yes it makes a sound whether or not someone is there to hear it.

If you define sound as an ear receiving those (sound) waves, then a tree falling doesn't make a sound if no one is there to hear it.

I had a friend in college who majored in Philosophy, and his prospects made me ponder another question:

If someone majors in Philosophy, and there are no family or friends around to give them a job, will they ever find gainful employment....