Re: Re: Wave collapse and consciousness

2013-01-10 Thread Roger Clough
Hi Bruno Marchal  

Platonism is not at least overtly Berkeley's idealism, but is idealism at least 
of the type described below. 


idealism 
noun \i-'de-(?-)?liz-?m, 'i-(?)de-\ 
Definition of IDEALISM 
1 
a (1) : a theory that ultimate reality lies in a realm transcending phenomena 
(2) : a theory that the essential nature of reality lies in consciousness or 
reason  

[Roger Clough], [rclo...@verizon.net] 
1/10/2013  
Forever is a long time, especially near the end. - Woody Allen 
- Receiving the following content -  
From: Bruno Marchal  
Receiver: everything-list  
Time: 2013-01-09, 09:55:41 
Subject: Re: Wave collapse and consciousness 


On 09 Jan 2013, at 12:20, Roger Clough wrote: 

 Hi Bruno Marchal 
 
 
 You say, Well, with comp, the mind arise from arithmetic. 
 
 Wouldn't a Platonist say instead that arithmetic arises from mind ? 

Some Platonist have defended idealism, but the problem then is that we  
can no more an explanation for mind. 
With comp, we do get a simple theory of mind (computer science/  
mathematical logic), and we can explain both consciousness and the  
illusion of matter from it, and this leads us back to the root of  
Platonism: Pythagorism. There is only numbers and numbers computable  
relations (in the outside view). The inside view get richer, though. 

All you need is arithmetical realism: the idea that 43 is prime in  
all possible situation, independently of the existence of humans,  
aliens, bacteria, etc. 

Bruno 


 
 
 [Roger Clough], [rclo...@verizon.net] 
 1/9/2013 
 Forever is a long time, especially near the end. - Woody Allen 
 - Receiving the following content - 
 From: Bruno Marchal 
 Receiver: everything-list 
 Time: 2013-01-09, 05:13:03 
 Subject: Re: Wave collapse and consciousness 
 
 
 On 08 Jan 2013, at 17:50, Richard Ruquist wrote: 
 
 For the record, 
 
 Roger's post illuminates an optimal division between the mind: 
 the EM, and quantum waves and, fields; 
 
 and the body: mainly electrons and photons. 
 
 We all seem to agree that the mind is arithmetic. 
 
 Well, with comp, the mind arise from arithmetic. Mind is what a 
 universal numbers can handle, by construction and by first person 
 indeterminacy selection, which gives a reality far bigger than 
 arithmetic. Aristhmetic seen from inside go far beyond arithmetic in 
 machine's mind. 
 
 
 
 We have some division on if that property extends to the body: 
 like, for instance, arithmetic photons that seemingly bridge the 
 duality... 
 
 No, matter, once we assume comp, is much more than arithmetic, like 
 mind. 
 
 Bruno 
 
 
 
 
 
 yanniru 
 
 On Tue, Jan 8, 2013 at 9:57 AM, Roger Clough 
 wrote: 
 Wave collapse and consciousness 
 
 According to the discussion below, a field only has potential 
 existence, it does not exist by itself. It requires a body to 
 interact with it. 
 This difference is easily confused in usage. For example, we 
 may speak of an electromagnetic field as if it is a real physical 
 entity. But the only real part of the field is the electrons 
 moving in/through it. 
 
 Similarly the quantum field of a photon is only a map showing 
 the probabilities that the photon may exist at certain locations. 
 When the photon collides with something, the probability 
 is de facto 1, and we have an actual photon at that location. 
 
 So there is no mysterious connection between Cs and the 
 collapse of qm fields, all that is needed is something such 
 as a measurement probe to be in the path of the qm field 
 to cause a collision. 
 
 
 [Roger Clough], [rclo...@verizon.net] 
 1/8/2013 
 Forever is a long time, especially near the end. - Woody Allen 
 - Receiving the following content - 
 From: Roger Clough 
 Receiver: everything-list 
 Time: 2013-01-08, 09:37:17 
 Subject: Re: Re: Is Sheldrake credible ? I personally think so. 
 
 
 Hi Bruno Marchal 
 
 IMHO It doesn't matter what type of field. According to the 
 definition below, 
 a field is like a map, it is not the territory itself. .that 
 would 
 act on a body at any given point in that region The word would 
 tells us that a field only has potential existence, not existence 
 itself. 
 
 A gravitational field does not physically exist, IMHO, but exhibits 
 the properties of existence, such as our being able to see a ball 
 tossed in the air rise and fall. But we cannot see the 
 gravitational field itself. 
 It has no physical existence, only potential existence. 
 
 Or to put it another way, we can not detect a field, we can only 
 detect what it does. (In that case, pragmatism rules. ) 
 
 http://science.yourdictionary.com/field 
 
 field 
 
 A distribution in a region of space of the strength and direction 
 of a force, 
 such as the electrostatic force near an electrically charged 
 object, that would 
 act on a body at any given point in that region.  
 
 
 
 
 [Roger Clough], [rclo...@verizon.net] 
 1/8/2013 
 Forever is a long time, especially near the end. - Woody Allen

Re: Wave collapse and consciousness

2013-01-10 Thread Bruno Marchal


On 10 Jan 2013, at 13:13, Roger Clough wrote:


Hi Bruno Marchal

Platonism is not at least overtly Berkeley's idealism, but is  
idealism at least of the type described below.


OK. That was my point. With comp we get a pythagorean sort of  
immaterialist theory. Like in Plotinus, both matter and God are not  
part of the Being. They do exist, but in a different sense from what  
exist in the sensible, or intelligible sense.


Bruno






idealism
noun \i-'de-(?-)?liz-?m, 'i-(?)de-\
Definition of IDEALISM
1
a (1) : a theory that ultimate reality lies in a realm transcending  
phenomena (2) : a theory that the essential nature of reality lies  
in consciousness or reason


[Roger Clough], [rclo...@verizon.net]
1/10/2013
Forever is a long time, especially near the end. - Woody Allen
- Receiving the following content -
From: Bruno Marchal
Receiver: everything-list
Time: 2013-01-09, 09:55:41
Subject: Re: Wave collapse and consciousness


On 09 Jan 2013, at 12:20, Roger Clough wrote:


Hi Bruno Marchal


You say, Well, with comp, the mind arise from arithmetic.

Wouldn't a Platonist say instead that arithmetic arises from mind ?


Some Platonist have defended idealism, but the problem then is that we
can no more an explanation for mind.
With comp, we do get a simple theory of mind (computer science/
mathematical logic), and we can explain both consciousness and the
illusion of matter from it, and this leads us back to the root of
Platonism: Pythagorism. There is only numbers and numbers computable
relations (in the outside view). The inside view get richer, though.

All you need is arithmetical realism: the idea that 43 is prime in
all possible situation, independently of the existence of humans,
aliens, bacteria, etc.

Bruno





[Roger Clough], [rclo...@verizon.net]
1/9/2013
Forever is a long time, especially near the end. - Woody Allen
- Receiving the following content -
From: Bruno Marchal
Receiver: everything-list
Time: 2013-01-09, 05:13:03
Subject: Re: Wave collapse and consciousness


On 08 Jan 2013, at 17:50, Richard Ruquist wrote:


For the record,

Roger's post illuminates an optimal division between the mind:
the EM, and quantum waves and, fields;

and the body: mainly electrons and photons.

We all seem to agree that the mind is arithmetic.


Well, with comp, the mind arise from arithmetic. Mind is what a
universal numbers can handle, by construction and by first person
indeterminacy selection, which gives a reality far bigger than
arithmetic. Aristhmetic seen from inside go far beyond arithmetic in
machine's mind.




We have some division on if that property extends to the body:
like, for instance, arithmetic photons that seemingly bridge the
duality...


No, matter, once we assume comp, is much more than arithmetic, like
mind.

Bruno






yanniru

On Tue, Jan 8, 2013 at 9:57 AM, Roger Clough
wrote:

Wave collapse and consciousness

According to the discussion below, a field only has potential
existence, it does not exist by itself. It requires a body to
interact with it.
This difference is easily confused in usage. For example, we
may speak of an electromagnetic field as if it is a real physical
entity. But the only real part of the field is the electrons
moving in/through it.

Similarly the quantum field of a photon is only a map showing
the probabilities that the photon may exist at certain locations.
When the photon collides with something, the probability
is de facto 1, and we have an actual photon at that location.

So there is no mysterious connection between Cs and the
collapse of qm fields, all that is needed is something such
as a measurement probe to be in the path of the qm field
to cause a collision.


[Roger Clough], [rclo...@verizon.net]
1/8/2013
Forever is a long time, especially near the end. - Woody Allen
- Receiving the following content -
From: Roger Clough
Receiver: everything-list
Time: 2013-01-08, 09:37:17
Subject: Re: Re: Is Sheldrake credible ? I personally think so.


Hi Bruno Marchal

IMHO It doesn't matter what type of field. According to the
definition below,
a field is like a map, it is not the territory itself. .that
would
act on a body at any given point in that region The word would
tells us that a field only has potential existence, not existence
itself.

A gravitational field does not physically exist, IMHO, but exhibits
the properties of existence, such as our being able to see a ball
tossed in the air rise and fall. But we cannot see the
gravitational field itself.
It has no physical existence, only potential existence.

Or to put it another way, we can not detect a field, we can only
detect what it does. (In that case, pragmatism rules. )

http://science.yourdictionary.com/field

field

A distribution in a region of space of the strength and direction
of a force,
such as the electrostatic force near an electrically charged
object, that would
act on a body at any given point in that region. 




[Roger Clough], [rclo

Re: Wave collapse and consciousness

2013-01-09 Thread Bruno Marchal


On 08 Jan 2013, at 17:50, Richard Ruquist wrote:


For the record,

Roger's post illuminates an optimal division between the mind:
the EM, and quantum waves and, fields;

and the body: mainly electrons and photons.

We all seem to agree that the mind is arithmetic.


Well, with comp, the mind arise from arithmetic. Mind is what a  
universal numbers can handle, by construction and by first person  
indeterminacy selection, which gives a reality far bigger than  
arithmetic. Aristhmetic seen from inside go far beyond arithmetic in  
machine's mind.





We have some division on if that property extends to the body:
like, for instance, arithmetic photons that seemingly bridge the  
duality...


No, matter, once we assume comp, is much more than arithmetic, like  
mind.


Bruno






yanniru

On Tue, Jan 8, 2013 at 9:57 AM, Roger Clough rclo...@verizon.net  
wrote:

Wave collapse and consciousness

According to the discussion below, a field only has potential
existence, it does not exist by itself. It requires a body to  
interact with it.

This difference is easily confused in usage.  For example, we
may speak of an electromagnetic field  as if it is a real physical
entity. But the only real part of the field is the electrons
moving in/through it.

Similarly the quantum field of a photon is only a map showing
the probabilities that the photon may exist at certain locations.
When the photon collides with something, the probability
is de facto 1, and we have an actual photon at that location.

So there is no mysterious connection between Cs and the
collapse of qm fields, all that is needed is something such
as a measurement probe to be in the path of the qm field
to cause a collision.


[Roger Clough], [rclo...@verizon.net]
1/8/2013
Forever is a long time, especially near the end. - Woody Allen
- Receiving the following content -
From: Roger Clough
Receiver: everything-list
Time: 2013-01-08, 09:37:17
Subject: Re: Re: Is Sheldrake credible ? I personally think so.


Hi Bruno Marchal

IMHO It doesn't matter what type of field. According to the  
definition below,
a field is like a map, it is not the territory itself. .that  
would

act on a body at any given point in that region The word would
tells us that a field only has potential existence, not existence  
itself.


A gravitational field does not physically exist, IMHO, but exhibits
the properties of existence, such as our being able to see a ball
tossed in the air rise and fall. But we cannot see the  
gravitational field itself.

It has no physical existence, only potential existence.

Or to put it another way, we can not detect a field, we can only
detect what it does. (In that case, pragmatism rules. )

http://science.yourdictionary.com/field

field

A distribution in a region of space of the strength and direction  
of a force,
such as the electrostatic force near an electrically charged  
object, that would

act on a body at any given point in that region. 




[Roger Clough], [rclo...@verizon.net]
1/8/2013
Forever is a long time, especially near the end. - Woody Allen
- Receiving the following content -
From: Bruno Marchal
Receiver: everything-list
Time: 2013-01-08, 08:36:24
Subject: Re: Is Sheldrake credible ? I personally think so.




On 07 Jan 2013, at 17:26, Roger Clough wrote:


Hi Bruno Marchal

Yes, the theories are nonphysical, and in addition, quantum theories
quantum theory applies to quantum fields, which are nonphysical.


This is hard for me to grasp. What do you mean by quantum fields  
are not physical?
It seems to me that they are as much physical than a magnetic  
field, or a gravitational field. I don't see any difference.  
Quantum field theory is just a formulation of quantum mechanics in  
which particles become field singularities, but they have the  
usual observable properties making them physical, even material.
With computationalism, nothing is *primitively* physical, and  
physics is no more the fundamental science, but many things remains  
physical, like fields. They do emerge from the way machine can bet  
on what is directly accessible by measurement.



May be we have a problem of vocabulary. We might use physical in  
different sense.



Bruno







[Roger Clough], [rclo...@verizon.net]
1/7/2013
Forever is a long time, especially near the end. - Woody Allen
- Receiving the following content -
From: Bruno Marchal
Receiver: everything-list
Time: 2013-01-07, 11:17:56
Subject: Re: Is Sheldrake credible ? I personally think so.


On 06 Jan 2013, at 21:59, Roger Clough wrote:


Hi meekerdb

Not all physicists are materialists, or if they are, they are
inconsistent
if they deal with quantum physics, which is nonphysical.



All theories are non physical, but this does not make a materialist
theory inconsistent. With non comp you can make identify mind and non
physical things with some class of physical phenomena.

Careful, in philosophy of mind, materialism means only matter
fundamentally 

Re: Re: Wave collapse and consciousness

2013-01-09 Thread Roger Clough
Hi Bruno Marchal  


You say, Well, with comp, the mind arise from arithmetic.  

Wouldn't a Platonist say instead that arithmetic arises from mind ? 


[Roger Clough], [rclo...@verizon.net] 
1/9/2013  
Forever is a long time, especially near the end. - Woody Allen 
- Receiving the following content -  
From: Bruno Marchal  
Receiver: everything-list  
Time: 2013-01-09, 05:13:03 
Subject: Re: Wave collapse and consciousness 


On 08 Jan 2013, at 17:50, Richard Ruquist wrote: 

 For the record, 
 
 Roger's post illuminates an optimal division between the mind: 
 the EM, and quantum waves and, fields; 
 
 and the body: mainly electrons and photons. 
 
 We all seem to agree that the mind is arithmetic. 

Well, with comp, the mind arise from arithmetic. Mind is what a  
universal numbers can handle, by construction and by first person  
indeterminacy selection, which gives a reality far bigger than  
arithmetic. Aristhmetic seen from inside go far beyond arithmetic in  
machine's mind. 



 We have some division on if that property extends to the body: 
 like, for instance, arithmetic photons that seemingly bridge the  
 duality... 

No, matter, once we assume comp, is much more than arithmetic, like  
mind. 

Bruno 




 
 yanniru 
 
 On Tue, Jan 8, 2013 at 9:57 AM, Roger Clough   
 wrote: 
 Wave collapse and consciousness 
 
 According to the discussion below, a field only has potential 
 existence, it does not exist by itself. It requires a body to  
 interact with it. 
 This difference is easily confused in usage. For example, we 
 may speak of an electromagnetic field as if it is a real physical 
 entity. But the only real part of the field is the electrons 
 moving in/through it. 
 
 Similarly the quantum field of a photon is only a map showing 
 the probabilities that the photon may exist at certain locations. 
 When the photon collides with something, the probability 
 is de facto 1, and we have an actual photon at that location. 
 
 So there is no mysterious connection between Cs and the 
 collapse of qm fields, all that is needed is something such 
 as a measurement probe to be in the path of the qm field 
 to cause a collision. 
 
 
 [Roger Clough], [rclo...@verizon.net] 
 1/8/2013 
 Forever is a long time, especially near the end. - Woody Allen 
 - Receiving the following content - 
 From: Roger Clough 
 Receiver: everything-list 
 Time: 2013-01-08, 09:37:17 
 Subject: Re: Re: Is Sheldrake credible ? I personally think so. 
 
 
 Hi Bruno Marchal 
 
 IMHO It doesn't matter what type of field. According to the  
 definition below, 
 a field is like a map, it is not the territory itself. .that  
 would 
 act on a body at any given point in that region The word would 
 tells us that a field only has potential existence, not existence  
 itself. 
 
 A gravitational field does not physically exist, IMHO, but exhibits 
 the properties of existence, such as our being able to see a ball 
 tossed in the air rise and fall. But we cannot see the  
 gravitational field itself. 
 It has no physical existence, only potential existence. 
 
 Or to put it another way, we can not detect a field, we can only 
 detect what it does. (In that case, pragmatism rules. ) 
 
 http://science.yourdictionary.com/field 
 
 field 
 
 A distribution in a region of space of the strength and direction  
 of a force, 
 such as the electrostatic force near an electrically charged  
 object, that would 
 act on a body at any given point in that region.  
 
 
 
 
 [Roger Clough], [rclo...@verizon.net] 
 1/8/2013 
 Forever is a long time, especially near the end. - Woody Allen 
 - Receiving the following content - 
 From: Bruno Marchal 
 Receiver: everything-list 
 Time: 2013-01-08, 08:36:24 
 Subject: Re: Is Sheldrake credible ? I personally think so. 
 
 
 
 
 On 07 Jan 2013, at 17:26, Roger Clough wrote: 
 
 
 Hi Bruno Marchal 
 
 Yes, the theories are nonphysical, and in addition, quantum theories 
 quantum theory applies to quantum fields, which are nonphysical. 
 
 
 This is hard for me to grasp. What do you mean by quantum fields  
 are not physical? 
 It seems to me that they are as much physical than a magnetic  
 field, or a gravitational field. I don't see any difference.  
 Quantum field theory is just a formulation of quantum mechanics in  
 which particles become field singularities, but they have the  
 usual observable properties making them physical, even material. 
 With computationalism, nothing is *primitively* physical, and  
 physics is no more the fundamental science, but many things remains  
 physical, like fields. They do emerge from the way machine can bet  
 on what is directly accessible by measurement. 
 
 
 May be we have a problem of vocabulary. We might use physical in  
 different sense. 
 
 
 Bruno 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 [Roger Clough], [rclo...@verizon.net] 
 1/7/2013 
 Forever is a long time, especially near the end. - Woody Allen 
 - Receiving the following content

Re: Wave collapse and consciousness

2013-01-09 Thread Bruno Marchal


On 09 Jan 2013, at 12:20, Roger Clough wrote:


Hi Bruno Marchal


You say, Well, with comp, the mind arise from arithmetic.

Wouldn't a Platonist say instead that arithmetic arises from mind ?


Some Platonist have defended idealism, but the problem then is that we  
can no more an explanation for mind.
With comp, we do get a simple theory of mind (computer science/ 
mathematical logic), and we can explain both consciousness and the  
illusion of matter from it, and this leads us back to the root of  
Platonism: Pythagorism. There is only numbers and numbers computable  
relations (in the outside view). The inside view get richer, though.


All you need is arithmetical realism: the idea that 43 is prime in  
all possible situation, independently of the existence of humans,  
aliens, bacteria, etc.


Bruno





[Roger Clough], [rclo...@verizon.net]
1/9/2013
Forever is a long time, especially near the end. - Woody Allen
- Receiving the following content -
From: Bruno Marchal
Receiver: everything-list
Time: 2013-01-09, 05:13:03
Subject: Re: Wave collapse and consciousness


On 08 Jan 2013, at 17:50, Richard Ruquist wrote:


For the record,

Roger's post illuminates an optimal division between the mind:
the EM, and quantum waves and, fields;

and the body: mainly electrons and photons.

We all seem to agree that the mind is arithmetic.


Well, with comp, the mind arise from arithmetic. Mind is what a
universal numbers can handle, by construction and by first person
indeterminacy selection, which gives a reality far bigger than
arithmetic. Aristhmetic seen from inside go far beyond arithmetic in
machine's mind.




We have some division on if that property extends to the body:
like, for instance, arithmetic photons that seemingly bridge the
duality...


No, matter, once we assume comp, is much more than arithmetic, like
mind.

Bruno






yanniru

On Tue, Jan 8, 2013 at 9:57 AM, Roger Clough
wrote:

Wave collapse and consciousness

According to the discussion below, a field only has potential
existence, it does not exist by itself. It requires a body to
interact with it.
This difference is easily confused in usage. For example, we
may speak of an electromagnetic field as if it is a real physical
entity. But the only real part of the field is the electrons
moving in/through it.

Similarly the quantum field of a photon is only a map showing
the probabilities that the photon may exist at certain locations.
When the photon collides with something, the probability
is de facto 1, and we have an actual photon at that location.

So there is no mysterious connection between Cs and the
collapse of qm fields, all that is needed is something such
as a measurement probe to be in the path of the qm field
to cause a collision.


[Roger Clough], [rclo...@verizon.net]
1/8/2013
Forever is a long time, especially near the end. - Woody Allen
- Receiving the following content -
From: Roger Clough
Receiver: everything-list
Time: 2013-01-08, 09:37:17
Subject: Re: Re: Is Sheldrake credible ? I personally think so.


Hi Bruno Marchal

IMHO It doesn't matter what type of field. According to the
definition below,
a field is like a map, it is not the territory itself. .that
would
act on a body at any given point in that region The word would
tells us that a field only has potential existence, not existence
itself.

A gravitational field does not physically exist, IMHO, but exhibits
the properties of existence, such as our being able to see a ball
tossed in the air rise and fall. But we cannot see the
gravitational field itself.
It has no physical existence, only potential existence.

Or to put it another way, we can not detect a field, we can only
detect what it does. (In that case, pragmatism rules. )

http://science.yourdictionary.com/field

field

A distribution in a region of space of the strength and direction
of a force,
such as the electrostatic force near an electrically charged
object, that would
act on a body at any given point in that region. 




[Roger Clough], [rclo...@verizon.net]
1/8/2013
Forever is a long time, especially near the end. - Woody Allen
- Receiving the following content -
From: Bruno Marchal
Receiver: everything-list
Time: 2013-01-08, 08:36:24
Subject: Re: Is Sheldrake credible ? I personally think so.




On 07 Jan 2013, at 17:26, Roger Clough wrote:


Hi Bruno Marchal

Yes, the theories are nonphysical, and in addition, quantum theories
quantum theory applies to quantum fields, which are nonphysical.


This is hard for me to grasp. What do you mean by quantum fields
are not physical?
It seems to me that they are as much physical than a magnetic
field, or a gravitational field. I don't see any difference.
Quantum field theory is just a formulation of quantum mechanics in
which particles become field singularities, but they have the
usual observable properties making them physical, even material.
With computationalism, nothing is *primitively* physical, and
physics is no more

Re: Wave collapse and consciousness

2013-01-08 Thread Bruno Marchal


On 08 Jan 2013, at 15:57, Roger Clough wrote:


Wave collapse and consciousness

According to the discussion below, a field only has potential
existence, it does not exist by itself. It requires a body to  
interact with it.

This difference is easily confused in usage.  For example, we
may speak of an electromagnetic field  as if it is a real physical
entity. But the only real part of the field is the electrons
moving in/through it.

Similarly the quantum field of a photon is only a map showing
the probabilities that the photon may exist at certain locations.
When the photon collides with something, the probability
is de facto 1, and we have an actual photon at that location.

So there is no mysterious connection between Cs and the
collapse of qm fields, all that is needed is something such
as a measurement probe to be in the path of the qm field
to cause a collision.


Are you saying there is nothing without the probe?
This can be refuted in some quantum experience where interference  
comes from the absence of a probe on a path.


IN QM, even the (amplitude of) probability is physically real.

And what is a particles if not a singularity in a field (as in quantum  
field theory).


I agree with you, at some other level. Yes, the physical reality is  
only a cosmic GSM to help localizing ourselves in a (vaster) reality.  
Yes, the physical is a map. But this concerns both particles and  
forces/fields.


You might still be too much materialist for comp, Roger.

Bruno







[Roger Clough], [rclo...@verizon.net]
1/8/2013
Forever is a long time, especially near the end. - Woody Allen
- Receiving the following content -
From: Roger Clough
Receiver: everything-list
Time: 2013-01-08, 09:37:17
Subject: Re: Re: Is Sheldrake credible ? I personally think so.


Hi Bruno Marchal

IMHO It doesn't matter what type of field. According to the  
definition below,
a field is like a map, it is not the territory itself. .that  
would

act on a body at any given point in that region The word would
tells us that a field only has potential existence, not existence  
itself.


A gravitational field does not physically exist, IMHO, but exhibits
the properties of existence, such as our being able to see a ball
tossed in the air rise and fall. But we cannot see the gravitational  
field itself.

It has no physical existence, only potential existence.

Or to put it another way, we can not detect a field, we can only
detect what it does. (In that case, pragmatism rules. )

http://science.yourdictionary.com/field

field

A distribution in a region of space of the strength and direction  
of a force,
such as the electrostatic force near an electrically charged object,  
that would

act on a body at any given point in that region. 




[Roger Clough], [rclo...@verizon.net]
1/8/2013
Forever is a long time, especially near the end. - Woody Allen
- Receiving the following content -
From: Bruno Marchal
Receiver: everything-list
Time: 2013-01-08, 08:36:24
Subject: Re: Is Sheldrake credible ? I personally think so.




On 07 Jan 2013, at 17:26, Roger Clough wrote:


Hi Bruno Marchal

Yes, the theories are nonphysical, and in addition, quantum theories
quantum theory applies to quantum fields, which are nonphysical.


This is hard for me to grasp. What do you mean by quantum fields  
are not physical?
It seems to me that they are as much physical than a magnetic field,  
or a gravitational field. I don't see any difference. Quantum field  
theory is just a formulation of quantum mechanics in which  
particles become field singularities, but they have the usual  
observable properties making them physical, even material.
With computationalism, nothing is *primitively* physical, and  
physics is no more the fundamental science, but many things remains  
physical, like fields. They do emerge from the way machine can bet  
on what is directly accessible by measurement.



May be we have a problem of vocabulary. We might use physical in  
different sense.



Bruno







[Roger Clough], [rclo...@verizon.net]
1/7/2013
Forever is a long time, especially near the end. - Woody Allen
- Receiving the following content -
From: Bruno Marchal
Receiver: everything-list
Time: 2013-01-07, 11:17:56
Subject: Re: Is Sheldrake credible ? I personally think so.


On 06 Jan 2013, at 21:59, Roger Clough wrote:


Hi meekerdb

Not all physicists are materialists, or if they are, they are
inconsistent
if they deal with quantum physics, which is nonphysical.



All theories are non physical, but this does not make a materialist
theory inconsistent. With non comp you can make identify mind and non
physical things with some class of physical phenomena.

Careful, in philosophy of mind, materialism means only matter
fundamentally exists. But comp is already contradicting weak
materialism, the thesis that some matter exists fundamentally (among
possible other things).

Some physicists are non materialist and even non-weak-materialist
( (which