• The Mind is the uncaused cause
    It's ludicrous to deny that brain at t0 is the pre-existing material.
    — Relativist
    I didn't deny that.
    MoK

    Yes, you did. Here:

    If brain at t1 was not created ex nihilo, then it was created FROM something.
    — Relativist
    It was not created from something.
    MoK
  • Physical cannot be the cause of its own change
    , I already addressed your/AI objectionsMoK
    You posted responses, while denying the obvious errors in your logic. I can only assume you don't understand logic. You made the absurd claim:

    (the physical in the state of S1 cannot cause the physical in the state of S2)

    Was implied by:

    (the physical in the state of S1 cannot know the correct instant to cause the physical in the state of s2)

    That is irrational. Perhaps you're applying some unstated assumptions and you don't realize it.
  • Physical cannot be the cause of its own change
    MoK- I posted the AI analysis for your benefit, since you seem to lack an understanding of basic logic.

    Your argument is objectively invalid. I showed that, others have shown it, and now even an AI has shown it.
  • The Mind is the uncaused cause
    First, you are confusing the creation ex nihilo with the act of creation that is due to the Mind. I illustrated that several times but you didn't pay any attention to what I said.MoK
    Here's what you said:

    It was not created from something.MoK
    To which I responded: "Then it was created from nothing". You haven't reconciled this, you just rejected using the term "ex nihilo". The Latin translation is irrelevant.


    The act of creation of the physical which is due to the Mind requires experiences of the physical in the former state. No experience so no creation.MoK
    You deny that experiences are physical, so experiences cannot be a material cause. A "material cause " simply means pre-existing material.

    It's ludicrous to deny that brain at t0 is the pre-existing material. But you chose to make that ridiculous claim to rationalize denying that (brain at t0 + other factors) causes (brain at t1).

    Do you not understand the difference between material cause and efficient cause?
  • Physical cannot be the cause of its own change
    For the fun of it, I asked DeepSeek to evaluate the op argument. I asked, "what's wrong with this logic? then pasted the op into it. It did a remarkable job!

    Deepseek:
    "The logic presented in your argument contains several issues that undermine its validity. Let's break it down step by step:

    1. **Premise 1**: A physical system changes from state \( S_1 \) to state \( S_2 \) at times \( t_1 \) and \( t_2 \), respectively.
    2. **Premise 2**: The physical system in state \( S_1 \) has the causal power to cause the physical system to transition to state \( S_2 \).
    3. **Premise 3**: The physical system is not aware of the passage of time.
    4. **Conclusion 1**: Therefore, the physical system in state \( S_1 \) cannot know the correct instant to cause the transition to state \( S_2 \).
    5. **Conclusion 2**: Therefore, the physical system in state \( S_1 \) cannot cause the transition to state \( S_2 \).
    6. **Conclusion 3**: Therefore, the change is not possible in the physical system.
    7. **Conclusion 4**: Therefore, the physical system cannot be the cause of its own change.

    ### Issues with the Logic:

    1. **Misapplication of "Awareness"**:
    - The argument assumes that the physical system needs to be "aware" of time to cause a change. This is a category mistake. Physical systems do not require awareness or consciousness to operate according to physical laws. Causality in physical systems is governed by deterministic or probabilistic laws, not by "knowing" when to act.

    2. **Confusion Between Causality and Temporal Awareness**:
    - The argument conflates causality with temporal awareness. Causality in physics is about the relationship between events, not about the system's awareness of time. For example, a ball rolling down a hill does not need to "know" when to start rolling; it rolls due to gravity and initial conditions.

    3. **Self-Contradiction in Premises**:
    - Premise 2 states that the physical system in state \( S_1 \) has the causal power to cause \( S_2 \), but the conclusion denies this by suggesting that the system cannot cause \( S_2 \) because it lacks temporal awareness. This is a contradiction because the initial premise already grants the system causal power.

    4. **Misunderstanding of Physical Laws**:
    - Physical systems operate according to laws that do not require "knowledge" or "awareness." For example, chemical reactions occur when certain conditions are met, not because the molecules "know" when to react. The argument incorrectly imposes a requirement of awareness on a system that operates purely mechanistically.

    5. **Infinite Regress or External Cause Fallacy**:
    - The conclusion that "physical cannot be the cause of its own change" implies that all changes must be caused by something external. This leads to an infinite regress (what causes the external cause?) or an unnecessary appeal to non-physical causes, which is not justified by the premises.

    6. **Ignoring Deterministic or Probabilistic Mechanisms**:
    - The argument ignores the role of deterministic or probabilistic mechanisms in physical systems. For example, in quantum mechanics, particles transition between states based on probabilities, not on any form of awareness.

    ### Corrected Logic:
    - Physical systems change states based on physical laws and initial conditions. The transition from \( S_1 \) to \( S_2 \) occurs because the laws of physics dictate that \( S_1 \) evolves into \( S_2 \) under the given conditions. There is no need for the system to "know" when to change; the change is a natural consequence of the system's dynamics.

    In summary, the argument fails because it imposes an unnecessary requirement of "awareness" on a physical system, misunderstands the nature of causality in physics, and contradicts its own premises. Physical systems do not need to be aware of time to undergo changes; they follow the laws of physics."
  • The Mind is the uncaused cause
    Then it was created from nothing, which means ex nihilo. See this.
    — Relativist
    I differentiate between God and the Mind.
    MoK

    So if God creates from nothing, it's ex nihilo. When mind creates from nothing, it isn't. This is ludicrous.
  • Ukraine Crisis
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    'Game changer': US reportedly threatens to revoke Ukraine's Starlink access over minerals
  • Physical cannot be the cause of its own change
    You didn't find any error in my argumentMoK
    Yes, I did. I'm done. You seem incapable of having a rational discussion.
  • The Mind is the uncaused cause
    It was not created from something.MoK
    Then it was created from nothing, which means ex nihilo. See this.
  • Physical cannot be the cause of its own change
    Examined as a whole, the universe at t0 is the cause of the universe at t1. Physical throughout.
    — Relativist
    False.
    MoK
    Prove it.

    We're discussing the error in your op that I exposed. Keep up.
    — Relativist
    Where is the error? Could you please show it to me?
    MoK
    I've shown you at least twice. Read through my posts.
  • The Mind is the uncaused cause
    You didn't answer my question: If not ex nihilo, then what is brain at t1 created FROM?
    — Relativist
    I did. I explained the creation ex nihilo. Did you get it? And the Mind creates MoK's brain at time t1. The Mind has the ability to cause/create but that requires the experience of the physical first.
    MoK
    Your evasiveness is frustrating. If brain at t1 was not created ex nihilo, then it was created FROM something. What is that something? Answering "not ex nihilo" is not an answer.

    You seem to be unwilling to admit you were wrong when you denied
    (Brain@t0 + other factors) causes (brain@t1).
  • Physical cannot be the cause of its own change
    Prove it.
    — Relativist
    Read the OP.
    MoK
    We're discussing the error in your op that I exposed. Keep up.


    Change entails a cause for that change (per the PSR).
    — Relativist
    Sure, I am not against this at all. I am however arguing that physical cannot be the cause of its own change.
    MoK
    Examined as a whole, the universe at t0 is the cause of the universe at t1. Physical throughout.
  • Physical cannot be the cause of its own change
    One physical state of affairs (S1) caused another physical state of affairs (S2).
    — Relativist
    We assume this all the time but that is false.
    MoK
    Prove it.

    S1 includes the potential energy in the tectonic plates that caused the tremor.
    — Relativist

    That is a mere change and I am not denying it at all.
    MoK
    Change entails a cause for that change (per the PSR).
  • The Mind is the uncaused cause
    I already agree that change in physical is because physical has properties. To establish the argument I however only need to accept that physical and awareness/experience exist and they are subject to change. Please read moreMoK
    No, not unless you remove the ambiguity. If I were to do it myself and identify another problem, you could blame it on my misinterpretation.

    If not ex nihilo, then what is brain at t1 created FROM? If you say "brain at t0" then we're back to (brain at t0 plus other factors) causes (brain at t1), because brain at t0 is a material cause.
    If not ex nihilo, then what is brain at t1 created FROM?
    — Relativist

    The creation ex nihilo refers to creation when there is nothing at all but the creator, then the act of creation, and then something plus the creator. Here, I am not talking about the creation ex nihilo then. There is however an act of creation. But this act is related to the experience of the former state of physical first. So, the Mind experiences physical in the state of S1 and then creates physical in another state, S2, later.
    MoK
    You didn't answer my question: If not ex nihilo, then what is brain at t1 created FROM?

    If you say "brain at t0" then we're back to (brain at t0 plus other factors) causes (brain at t1), because brain at t0 is a material cause.
  • The Mind is the uncaused cause
    But I was talking about the emergence of awareness which is a strong emergence.MoK
    So you don't have a problem with non-reductive physicalsim?
    Prove it.
    — Relativist
    So you think it is a weak emergence?
    MoK
    I lean toward reductive physicalism. If it could be established that there is actual ontological emergence, I would accept non-reductive physicalism.
  • The Mind is the uncaused cause
    The emergence of a car: Weak or strong? The emergence of awareness: Weak or strong?MoK
    Under reductive physicalism: both are weak. Are you accepting that non-reductive physicalism has no problems?

    I don't need to rephrase my argument.MoK
    You asked me to comment on your Op argument. I did. I established that the 1st premise is ambiguous. If you want further analysis, remove the ambiguity. Up to you.


    Are you saying the Mind recreates MoK's brain ex nihilo at every instant of time, rather than effecting a change to MoK's brain?!
    — Relativist
    I already mentioned that physical including MoK's brain does not exist in the future. Therefore, physical must be created to allow a change in physical. And by creation, I don't mean the creation ex nihilo.
    MoK
    If not ex nihilo, then what is brain at t1 created FROM? If you say "brain at t0" then we're back to (brain at t0 plus other factors) causes (brain at t1), because brain at t0 is a material cause.
  • Physical cannot be the cause of its own change
    You are just claiming that change exists. That is not what I am denying. I am claiming that physical cannot be the cause of its own change.MoK
    One physical state of affairs (S1) caused another physical state of affairs (S2).

    S1 includes the potential energy in the tectonic plates that caused the tremor.
  • The Mind is the uncaused cause
    I know you weren't talking about functionalism, but it IS the answer to your question - and to many other objections to physicalism.
    — Relativist
    If so, then why did you bring up the example of a car that is a weak emergence?
    MoK
    Because it was an example of a functional entity.

    I am talking about the emergence of awareness which is a strong emergence.MoK
    Prove it.
    Cool. Let's agree to disagreeMoK
    Sure. I hope you can now recognize that your argument depends on assumptions that reasonable people can disagree about. Such is the problem with trying to prove God's existence.
  • The Mind is the uncaused cause
    I cannot prove it to you unless you understand the difference between the weak and strong emergence.MoK
    I do know the difference. Proceed with your proof.

    Anything that changes is no longer the same thing. And sure, physical are subject to change since they have a set of properties..Please replace experience with awareness.MoK
    Rephrase your argument accordingly.

    Then it's true that (MoK's brain at t1) is caused by (Mok's brain at t0 + other factors), because "other factors" includes mind's experience of Mok's brain at t0.
    — Relativist
    No, MoK's brain is directly caused by the Mind and not by MoK's brain in former time.
    MoK
    Are you saying the Mind recreates MoK's brain ex nihilo at every instant of time, rather than effecting a change to MoK's brain?!
  • Physical cannot be the cause of its own change
    P is #2MoK

    P: the physical in the state of S1 cannot know the correct instant to cause the physical in the state of S2.
    Q: Therefore, the physical in the state of S1 cannot cause the physical in the state of S2.

    I proved that P does not entail Q:
    S1= Rock on a ledge at to
    S2= Rock on the ground at t1
    Cause: tremor (there is no knowledge involved).
  • The Mind is the uncaused cause
    You had asked, "How could you accommodate awareness in physicalism?" My answer: "functionally".
    — Relativist
    I was not talking about the functionality of the brain which in fact can be explained by the laws of physics. I was talking about the awareness that as we agreed is a state of being conscious of perceptions, thoughts, feelings, etc.
    MoK
    I know you weren't talking about functionalism, but it IS the answer to your question - and to many other objections to physicalism. It means you can't simplistically deny physicalism on the basis that mental phenomena aren't exhibited by simple objects (rocks; particles). You need to consider functional entities.

    I think all sorts of physicalism are falseMoK
    Then let's agree to disagree. It can neither be proven nor disproven. We each draw our conclusions about it on subjective grounds. Your fundamental error is in thinking your subjective grounds are objective facts.
  • The Mind is the uncaused cause
    Then please read on the Hard Problem of consciousnessMoK
    No. You're reversing the burden of proof. Provide a formal proof that physicalism is impossible, with clearly stated premises.

    Then please read the OP and let me know what you think of it.MoK

    OK.

    P1) Physical and experience exist and they are subject to change
    Physical THINGS exist and engage in physical ACTIVITIES. Anything that changes is no longer the same thing (including any nonphysical objects that may exist). But your statement makes more sense if we treat objects as having both essential and contingent properties. Change would then entail the object's set of contingent properties changing.

    "Experience" can refer to an act, or to the effect of an act. An act occurs; it is not an existent. SoI conclude you're referring to the effect: the memory.

    I can't go further in your argument until you confirm or correct my interpretation.

    Physicalists are wrong. The fact that the majority of philosophers believe in physicalism does not prove anything.MoK
    It implies that it is highly unlikely that physicalism is provably false.

    Physicalism cannot explain the awarenessMoK
    Prove it.


    But you also made this seemingly contradictory statement:
    MoK's brain t1 was not caused by MoK's brain at t0 + other factors.
    — Relativist
    No, it is not contrary at all. MoK's brain at t1 is due to MoK's brain + other factors at t0 but the MoK's brain at t1 was not caused by MoK's brain + other factors at t0. MoK's brain at t1 was caused by the Mind after experiencing MoK's brain + other factors at t0.
    MoK

    Then it's true that (MoK's brain at t1) is caused by (Mok's brain at t0 + other factors), because "other factors" includes mind's experience of Mok's brain at t0.
  • The Mind is the uncaused cause
    You need to read about the strong and weak emergence to see that the example of the car is a weak emergence whereas consciousness is a strong emergence.MoK

    You had asked, "How could you accommodate awareness in physicalism?" My answer: "functionally". I'm defending physicalism, which can either be reductive physicalism or non-reductive. The former entails epistemological emergence, the latter allows for ontological emergence.

    The relevant points are:
    1) I answered your question;
    2) the burden is on you to prove physicalism is false;
    3) an argument from lack of imagination is a fallacy.
  • Physical cannot be the cause of its own change
    Modus Ponens.MoK

    Here's your argument:

    1. Physical however is not aware of the passage of time.
    2. Therefore, the physical in the state of S1 cannot know the correct instant to cause the physical in the state of S2.
    3. Therefore, the physical in the state of S1 cannot cause the physical in the state of S2.
    4. Therefore, the change is not possible in physical. Therefore, physical cannot be the cause of its own change.

    You said:
    #3 follows from #2 only.MoK
    Modus ponens has the form:
    p=>q
    p
    Therefore q

    In your argument, what is p and what is q?
  • The Mind is the uncaused cause
    I am arguing that physicalism is false because it cannot explain awareness/experienceMoK
    "Cannot" implies it is impossible. That's a strong claim that needs to be supported with a proof. Provide it using only mutually acceptable premises.

    The reality is that you simply can't imagine how physicalism could account for awareness and m-experience. You're committing the fallacy argument from incredulity, also referred to as "argument from lack of imagination". This is the underlying problem with what you're doing, and it entails reversing the burden of proof - that I must prove to you that physicalism CAN account for something. I will accept that burden if I choose to try and make a persuasive argument for physicalism. But this is your thread, your argument, and your burden.

    If you think that physicalism is not false then you have to deal with the Hard problem of consciousness, epiphenomenalism, and other problems that I discussed in detail but you didn't reply to it. You cannot resolve these problems. Could you?MoK
    I will deal with those if I choose to argue physicalism is true. In this thread, you have the burden of showing you have a coherent theory, since you put forth a proof.

    Experience refers to a phenomenon that has a very clear definition in the philosophy of the mind, namely my definition.MoK
    In philosophy, "experiences" correspond to what I've defined as m-experiences. It most certainly does not entail being non-physical. Here's an extract from the definition of experience in the Blackwell Dictionary of Western Philosophy:

    Experience: In philosophy,experience is generally what we perceive by the senses (sensory experience), what we learn from others, or whatever comes from external sources or from inner reflection....in philosophy, the relation between experience as a state of consciousness and independent objects of experience becomes a focus of debate. There must be something given
    in experience, yet the status of the given is very controversial. Different answers respectively ground
    positions such as realism, idealism, and skepticism. The different ways of understanding the given also
    involve different ways of understanding the notion of sense-data. There is also debate about the relation between experience and theory.


    There is no part of this that is inconsistent with physicalism. Further proof that your wrong: over 52% of phillosphers "accept or lean toward" physicalism. See this 2020 survey of philosophers. A 2009 survey had similar results

    This should give you some pause in thinking physicalism is so obviously false.

    I don't agree that there is p-experience or m-experienceMoK
    I defined m-experience as mental experience. If you don't believe there are mental experiences then your entire line of argument is dissolved.

    Functionally. Compare it to the function of a car: the parts of the car cannot function individually as a car. It is their arrangement that produces the function.
    — Relativist
    Now you are confusing weak and strong emergence here.
    MoK
    Non-sequitur, and you're ignoring that I answered your question. I regret indulging your reversal of your burden of proof.

    Our brains hold memories. Beliefs are memories that dispose us to behave a certain way. Awareness is the development of short term beliefs about some state of affairs or activity, caused by our sensory input.
    — Relativist
    No, we already agreed on the definition of awareness which is a state in which we are conscious of mental activities,
    MoK
    I was indulging you by giving a physicalist ACCOUNT of awareness. The account is consistent with the defintion of awareness.

    I've now concluded that I shall stop indulging you. I've given you enough to know that physicalists can account for things you didn't think possible. If you are reasonable, you'll now understand why I say you're making a fallacious argument from incredulity.

    Then what caused MoK's brain at t1? There was no explanation "above". Give me an account of all the causal factors (that's what I was doing with my statement,"MoK's brain t1 was caused by [MoK's brain at t0 + other factors].
    — Relativist
    I already explained that to you two times if not more. The Mind causes MoK's brain at t1 given the fact that it experiences MoK's brain at t0 plus other factors
    MoK

    But you also made this seemingly contradictory statement:
    MoK's brain t1 was not caused by MoK's brain at t0 + other factors.MoK
    Mind would qualify as "other factors". Explain this apparent contradiction. I'll defer re-asking the other related questions until you reconcile this.
  • Physical cannot be the cause of its own change
    I already discussed what I mean by change in OP whether the change is in a falling rock or the motion of electrons in a brainMoK
    It's an invalid argument! Here it is, with your statements numbered:

    1. Physical however is not aware of the passage of time.
    2. Therefore, the physical in the state of S1 cannot know the correct instant to cause the physical in the state of S2.
    3. Therefore, the physical in the state of S1 cannot cause the physical in the state of S2.
    4. Therefore, the change is not possible in physical. Therefore, physical cannot be the cause of its own change.


    #3 does not follow from #1 and #2. Neither #1 nor #2 even mentions causation, and yet you claim to draw a conclusion ("therefore") about causation.

    Your argument is just blatantly invalid.
  • Physical cannot be the cause of its own change

    Knowledge is not a necessary condition for causation.
    — Relativist
    It is necessary since a change indicates a going from one state at one point in time to another state later.
    MoK

    I then gave this example:
    A rock dislodged from a high ledge, by a tremor, will fall to the bottom is strict accord with the gravitational law.Relativist
    Prove there is a dependency on knowledge for the rock to fall, and land when it does.
  • Physical cannot be the cause of its own change

    You said:
    Knowledge is not a necessary condition for causation. — Relativist
    It is necessary since a change indicates a going from one state at one point in time to another state later. So the knowledge of the proper time that the causation is due to, t2 in this case, is necessary.
    MoK
    If that's not what you meant to say, then acknowledge you were wrong in making such a general statement, and rephrase it in a way you will defend.
  • Physical cannot be the cause of its own change
    I am asking that if you cannot perform that task which requires the awareness of the passage of time then how the physical can do that?MoK
    First you need to acknowledge that Knowledge is not a necessary condition for causation.

    You have a habit of making absurd statements, treating them as true even after they have been falsified. Here's where you made it:


    Knowledge is not a necessary condition for causation. — Relativist
    It is necessary since a change indicates a going from one state at one point in time to another state later. So the knowledge of the proper time that the causation is due to, t2 in this case, is necessary.
    MoK
  • Physical cannot be the cause of its own change
    Of course, the knowledge of time is necessary. Could you perform a task that is due to a specific time without knowing the specific time or even worse without having the ability to experience time? If you cannot then how the physical can?MoK
    You gave an example that INVOLVES application of knowledge. Cause-effect due to (for example) laws of motion do not depend on knowledge. A rock dislodged from a high ledge, by a tremor, will fall to the bottom is strict accord with the gravitational law.
  • Physical cannot be the cause of its own change
    It is necessary since a change indicates a going from one state at one point in time to another state later. So the knowledge of the proper time that the causation is due to, t2 in this case, is necessary.MoK
    Non-sequitur. You simply re-asserted that knowledge is necessary. A law of nature necessitates an effect. Causation is temporal.
  • Physical cannot be the cause of its own change
    Therefore, the physical in the state of S1 cannot know the correct instant to cause the physical in the state of S2. Therefore, the physical in the state of S1 cannot cause the physical in the state of S2.MoK
    Knowledge is not a necessary condition for causation.
  • The Mind is the uncaused cause
    . I agree that the experience or awareness precludes physicalism given my definition of experience.MoK
    So your "proof" that physicalism is false is based on the assumption that physicalism is false. Circular reasoning.

    You may believe physicalism is false because you can't imagine how it can account for some phenomenon, but that is not a proof. I don't care what you believe, so I have no burden to explain or defend physicalism. I know physicalism to be coherent and to be more explanatorially complete than alternatives, and this is sufficient basis for me to reject your argument. I have no burden to prove this to you. You assumed a burden by posting an argument that you presumably think should have the power to persuade. If your argument depends on your unproven assumption that physicalism is false, you should add that as a premise to your argument.

    I cannot agree with your definition of np-experience, m-experience, and p-experience since to me there is only one sort of experience that I equate to awareness.MoK
    You asked me this:
    Please call a set of processes in the brain another thingMoK
    That's what I did. The definitions refer to concepts. Accepting the definitions doesn't commit you to agreeing the concept applies to anything in reality. The difference among the 3 concepts are the nature of our disagreement. Based on those 3 concepts, our disagreement is about whether m-experiences are np-experiences or p-experiences. The definition you gave entails ASSUMING m-experiences are np-experiences. If you don't accept the burden to prove this, then your argument fails because it is circular.

    I equate experience to awareness. It was your misuse of terms that caused us all trouble. You define experience as the process in physical. The experience as I mentioned is related to another phenomenon that has a clear definition in the philosophy of the mind.MoK
    I didn't misuse terms. I made it clear in my first post that the definition of experience was relevant, and I subsequently rejected your definition because it assumed, not proved, that experiences were non-physical. The discussion did get confusing because we hadn't agreed to a definition. I've addressed this by defining the 3 concepts. If you aren't willing to accept the possibility that m-experiences are p-experiences, then the discussion is at an end because your reasoning is circular.

    I'll clarify one point: to say m-experiences are p-experiences means that m-experiences are due to physical processes, and thus consistent with physicalism. I'm not reifying an abstract description. You are greatly mistaken if you think physicalist philosopher's of mind would accept your definition.

    How could you accommodate awareness in physicalism considering the basic ingredients of any objects, electrons, quarks, etc. are unaware?MoK
    Functionally. Compare it to the function of a car: the parts of the car cannot function individually as a car. It is their arrangement that produces the function.

    Our brains hold memories. Beliefs are memories that dispose us to behave a certain way. Awareness is the development of short term beliefs about some state of affairs or activity, caused by our sensory input.

    I am not evading at all. I am talking about problems that cannot be addressed in physicalismMoK
    You're ignoring the context of this part of the discussion. You had given an incoherent account of the mind-body relationship. This is fatal to your argument. You presented this argument in your op, which gives you the burden to defend it. If you can't show that account is coherent, you've failed - irrespective of whether or not physicalism is true.


    I anticipate that you're strategy is to make an argument from ignorance: find a reason to reject physicalism, and then conclude "...therefore dualism must be true". No, you have to show you have a superior alternative. An incoherent theory is not superior. You DENY that it's incoherent, but you haven't been able to address my objections.
    — Relativist
    Please see above.
    MoK
    So you aren't denying that you're making an argument from ignorance.

    You seemed to agree that MoK's brain t1 was caused by (MoK's brain at t0 + other factors). The question is: is the mind one of those other factors. Please answer it. I anticipate that either answer will contradict something you've already said, but we'll see. After you've shown your theory is coherent, then we can further discuss your issues with physicalism.
    — Relativist
    MoK's brain t1 was not caused by MoK's brain at t0 + other factors. Please see above.
    MoK
    Then what caused MoK's brain at t1? There was no explanation "above". Give me an account of all the causal factors (that's what I was doing with my statement,"MoK's brain t1 was caused by [MoK's brain at t0 + other factors].
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    Reality: wartime military, financial and humanitarian aid to Ukraine through December:
    Europe- $258 billion committed; $148 billion allocated
    US- $124 billion committed; $119 billion allocated.

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    Actual: 52-57%

    In the Wednesday social media post, Trump falsely claimed that Zelensky “admits that half of the money we sent him is ‘MISSING.’”
    Zelensky has made no such admission...He said in a February 1 interview with the Associated Press that although people talk about Ukraine getting as much as $200 billion in US aid, Ukraine had received about $76 billion, largely in the form of weapons. Zelensky said he doesn’t know where all the professed additional money has gone and that perhaps these higher figures are correct “on paper,”
  • Ukraine Crisis
    , I was seven during the Cuban Missile Crisis,Wayfarer
    I had a feeling you were younger than me! I was 8 in Oct 1962.
  • The Mind is the uncaused cause
    Subjective judgement, but why don't you start a thread describing your metaphysical theory so we can judge its feasibility.
  • The Mind is the uncaused cause
    I was referring to the argument in the Op (I referred to an "alleged proof). Regarding your arguments, you haven't proven physicalism is impossible - and it being POSSIBLE is the only thing I've been defending.