1. Islamic Theologian's Theory: It's Likely the Prophet Muhammad Never Existed

Comment #285004 by zbob on November 16, 2008 at 1:35 pm

As-Salamu Alaykum Professor Kalish, As-Salamu Alaykum. You are going to need all the peace you can get considering the number of insane radical fundamentalists in the world. I respect your bravery.

2. The soul? It may all be in your mind

Comment #269006 by zbob on October 22, 2008 at 1:53 pm

zenmite:

One can access both "Soul Search" and "Zen Physics" through David Darling's website and read the entire books for free.

http://www.daviddarling.info

Dr. Darling's interpretation of the "self" as a creation of our minds and the cause of our suffering is very much in line with buddhist thought. His ideas that our individual consciousnesses as manifested through our brain activity is actually a reduction of a universal consciousness is very interesting but highly speculative.

I wish he had focused more inquiry on how theories of physics such as special relativity and David Bohm's implicate order could be integrated into his theory of consciousness.

Maybe that will be his next book.

3. Genes might not be so selfish after all

Comment #249149 by zbob on September 17, 2008 at 3:30 pm

Is this some sort of neo-Lamarckism with a genetic twist that these "progressive" Darwinists are advocating?

4. Rochester Physicist's Quantum-'Uncollapse' Hypothesis Verified

Comment #225799 by zbob on August 7, 2008 at 11:41 am

9. Comment #225789 by Oystein Elgaroy

Oops, sorry about that all you Danes out there. I, of course, did intend to refer to the Copenhagen Interpretation. (And I promise to not refer to the syndrome whereby the hostage shows signs of loyalty to the hostage-taker as the Copenhagen Syndrome)

5. Rochester Physicist's Quantum-'Uncollapse' Hypothesis Verified

Comment #225772 by zbob on August 7, 2008 at 11:10 am

If this hypothesis can be verified, would it not have a dramatic effect on the Stockholm Interpretation and Everett's Many Worlds Interpretation of quantum mechanics? Could this hypothesis reinvigorate David Bohm's hidden variables interpretation?

I hope some of the physicists who visit this website will comment.

6. Toward a Type 1 civilization

Comment #219038 by zbob on July 26, 2008 at 6:52 am

theonlybap,

To quote Dr. Dawkins: "I'm a passionate Darwinian in the academic sense (...), yet I am a passionate Anti-Darwinian when it comes to human social and political affairs."

As humans we have evolved to the point of self awareness and the unique (as far as we know) ability to understand our own negative thoughts and actions and, therefore, attempt to create solutions which may be contrary to our "natural" instincts. While mutual altruism is, in all likelihood, the result of genetic evolution, a more universal altruism requires consciousness evolution. We can maintain our selfish attitudes and actions as nature has produced for us or we can intentionally "rise above" this selfishness and create a more livable future for our descendents. Hasn't the selfishness of individuals and groups caused enough destruction and suffering for one planet?

7. Toward a Type 1 civilization

Comment #218844 by zbob on July 25, 2008 at 6:34 pm

Svetlana,

I neglected to applaud your post in addition to D'Arcy and SPS. Excellent

8. Toward a Type 1 civilization

Comment #218837 by zbob on July 25, 2008 at 6:26 pm

SPS and D'Arcy,

I agree with D'Arcy that we should have the higher goal of a more global, communal economic system in order to rise above the selfish interests of laissez-faire captitalism.

An inevitable consequence of Shermer's pseudo-utopian free market society is the continuation of some individuals and groups maintaining a luxurious lifestyle while millions of fellow humans suffer from malnutrition and impoverished living conditions. (Even with universal democracy and information access)

Should we interact with each other globally by continuing to emphasize our differences and not our similarities? Should we continue to allow corporate greed to victimize poor people throughout the world?

Each consciously evolved individual has the responsibility to be compassionate toward their fellow human with unconditional love and support, but would not a collective conscious mechanism of responsibility be a future goal? One problem with our current inability to fully sustain an enlightened world is our selfish economic systems that encourage selfish motivations in our daily lives. With cooperative economic systems in place, we would not have to struggle for survival in a selfish manner.
It is difficult to recognize our egocentric nature whenever it arises but through mindful practice and enlightened education, we could be on the right path to consciousness evolution.

9. PLEASE WRITE IN SUPPORT OF PZ MYERS

Comment #208298 by zbob on July 10, 2008 at 8:12 pm

If transubstantiation really occurred, then eventually one would experience the "defecation of Christ"

10. Susskind Quashes Hawking in Quarrel Over Quantum Quandary

Comment #207869 by zbob on July 10, 2008 at 8:34 am

Can anyone inform me as to whether this holographic universe idea has any similarity to the holomovement of the implicate order as proposed by David Bohm in "Wholeness and the Implicate Order"

11. Susskind Quashes Hawking in Quarrel Over Quantum Quandary

Comment #207864 by zbob on July 10, 2008 at 8:28 am

How coincidental is it that Susskind is "hawking" his book so blatantly?

12. Tablet Ignites Debate on Messiah and Resurrection

Comment #205206 by zbob on July 6, 2008 at 7:31 pm

The Omega Point and Christianity, Frank Tipler's view: http://www.geocities.com/theophysics/tipler-omega-point-and-christianity.html

13. Does Time Run Backward in Other Universes?

Comment #184320 by zbob on May 24, 2008 at 2:37 pm

On the subject of the illusory nature of time from the perspective of absolute spacetime:

Albert Einstein stated that "since there exists in the four dimensional structure (space-time) no longer any sections which represent "now" objectively, the concepts of happening and becoming are indeed not completely suspended but yet complicated. It appears therefore more natural to think of physical reality as a four dimensional existence, instead of, as hitherto, the evolution of a three dimensional existence." Einstein went on to state that there is not a true division between past and future, but rather a single existence. In other words, the distinction between past, present and future is an illusion.

Since all subjective time is relative depending on the observer's speed through space relative to another observer and their relative position in the universe, there is no objective, absolute time or absolute space as Newton proposed. Instead, since there is no objective "now" due to the relative, subjective observation of space-time, the only thing that is real is the whole of space-time. As theoretical physicist David Bohm stated: "Ultimately, all moments are really one. Therefore now is eternity" Or as theoretical physicist Brian Greene says: "Just as we envision all of space as really being out there, as really existing, we should also envision all of time as really being out there, as really existing too."

And for a different view of the second law of thermodynamics and the nature of order and timelessness go to:

http://www.everythingforever.com/

14. Missing matter found in deep space

Comment #182934 by zbob on May 21, 2008 at 6:20 am

As a matter of fact, for that matter, no matter where the conversation goes, it does not matter to the matter!

15. Missing matter found in deep space

Comment #182923 by zbob on May 21, 2008 at 5:59 am

Why does matter matter to the matter under consideration? jk (^_^)

16. Indian village proud after double 'honor killing'

Comment #181546 by zbob on May 17, 2008 at 12:12 pm

To blame this atrocious act solely on religion is very simplistic and a denial of some of the Darwinian impulses at work in these "cultural" situations. While the larger culture may condone (or at least tolerate) such horrendous, barbaric murder, it is my understanding that much of the caste system in India is based to a large degree on racial characteristics which have been entrenched into this socio-economic structure.

And I have to strongly disagree with Comment #181264 by Diocletian on May 16, 2008 at 7:49 pm who said that Buddhism is the root cause of the caste system. This statement is absolutely false and contrary to the history of Buddhism.

17. Evolution: What is 'Natural'?

Comment #179389 by zbob on May 13, 2008 at 7:44 am

I have not been on this website for awhile and was pleased to hear this audio from Dr. Dawkins. As a previous commenter stated, I will also add the following statement to my list of great quotes: "I'm a passionate Darwinian in the academic sense (...), yet I am a passionate Anti-Darwinian when it comes to human social and political affairs."

How true it is that humans have evolved to the point where we can now understand the negative aspects of selfishness and to attempt to rationally overcome our Darwinian impulses in order to act for the good of the whole. As the unique beings of this planet who can realize the true nature of interdependence and interconnectedness of all life and to reject the ultimately illusory "self"(individual and group), we have started our path to a more peaceful, cooperative world. Rational humans need to be proactive in advocating and implementing this path.

18. Mother Nature is Not Our Friend

Comment #105970 by zbob on January 2, 2008 at 8:27 am

What a great topic with which to begin the new year! In my opinion, the question of whether nature is "our" friend or not is totally irrelevant since we are merely a part of the whole of nature. Humans continuously separate themselves from nature as if "we" were somehow living outside of the universe and not within it. What an amazing illusion of self and group(species) that evolution has bequeathed to humans.

Has not the illusion of separateness from nature allowed humans to destroy much of our fellow species' habitat and threaten the future habitat of "current" species on this "pale blue dot"? Of course, this history of manipulation of other parts of nature has led many humans to fear further manipulation of "our" part of nature. A transhumanist future is simply an extreme version of natural manipulation by a part of nature which has evolved to manipulate nature in a very complex manner due to a particular history of natural selection. If the future of genetic engineering results in a "new" species, so be it. Without human conscious intervention, wouldn't our "species" eventually evolve into animals that would be extremely different from the human animals we see now?

I agree that the current political/social/economic systems allow for an environment for abuse by governments, corporations and individuals. Of course, since we created these structures, we can change them! But the way I see it, ready or not, here we go!

19. 'Gospel of wealth' facing scrutiny

Comment #104357 by zbob on December 28, 2007 at 11:14 am

Bentleyd,

These greedy ministers of prosperity also ignore the following:

Matthew 19:21
Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
Luke 12:15
Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."
Luke 12:33
Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.

The governmental investigation is a very welcomed occurrence and, hopefully, legislation favorable to equal treatment of these organizations (i.e. repeal of their tax exemption) will result.

20. Religious Freedom in Military Questioned

Comment #101955 by zbob on December 21, 2007 at 9:07 am

Annabanana,

Dr. Benway explained the UU very well. I have an aunt who has attended the local UU in the Maryland suburbs for years and has totally enjoyed the experiences. However, as I and Dr. Benway stated, you will, in all likelihood, meet some deists and pantheists amongst the truly atheistic. Our local UU is at the corner of Woodrow and Heyward streets in Shandon (I think it has a Heyward Street address).

21. Religious Freedom in Military Questioned

Comment #101624 by zbob on December 20, 2007 at 3:40 pm

Annabanana,

It appears that you and I live in the same town, the home of Fort Jackson. While I do not know of any atheist organizations in town, I do know that many educated, intellectual locals attend the UU on Woodrow Street (and many are atheists) Amazingly, I had a very interesting conversation with an atheist at the Goodyear store on Forest Drive while waiting for a tire repair. He attends the UU and he suggested that my girlfriend and I check it out. Although I have yet to go, I still consider it an option for us. Since I practice zazen, I may not be the typical commenter on this website and I suspect the UU has many people with varied philosophies of life, including a theistic viewpoint. So it may not be to your liking but as other commenters have stated, the deists and pantheists may be merely waiting for a rational argument to de-convert. Good luck!

22. Hinduism and Buddhism offer much more sophisticated worldviews (or philosophies) and I see nothing wrong with these religions.

Comment #98379 by zbob on December 13, 2007 at 2:34 pm

As a practitioner of Zen, I am glad that this website is approaching the eastern philosophies/psychologies to discuss the similarities and differences with modern western philosophies and science. The middle way of Buddhism is a fantastic way to live everyday life and to eventually discover that this shore is the other shore. (All concepts contain within them their opposites). If more people could realize the interdependent nature of all life and things in the universe (Thich Nhat Hanh calls it "interbeing"), and overcome the illusory independent self, then many of the world's egocentric caused problems would cease. Also, of course, "god" is irrelevant to this philosophy of life.

The practice of zazen allows us to explore the functioning of our mind consciousness and find the peace and joy that exists in every moment that we actually realize that our ego selves are ultimately illusory. Zen master Dogen also theorized that ultimately time is also an illusion which is very similar to Einstein's theories of absolute space-time where ultimately the distinction between past, present and future is an illusion.

I urge any person interested in this form of meditation and consciousness study to explore the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, D.T. Suzuki, and Shunryu Suzuki.(amongst others)
In my experience, this type of consciousness practice creates an excellent way to live everyday life in peace and happiness,

23. The art of the soluble

Comment #96282 by zbob on December 10, 2007 at 9:36 am

Nephite,

I agree with your position of requiring proof of various theories before you believe that they are true. However, the space-time theory of Einstein's theories of relativity have been proven through experimental methods.

24. The art of the soluble

Comment #96217 by zbob on December 10, 2007 at 7:13 am

Cartomancer,

Your comment referencing Augustine is very interesting and your observation of Augustine's theory reminds me of Zen master Dogen who, basically, comes to the same conclusion. Many practitioners of the experiential consciousness schools have determined that, ULTIMATELY, time is illusory. I would be very interested to know if any biologist/anthropologist has studied the evolutionary significance and genesis of these spiritual/consciousness theories and how and why they are so similar to modern theoretical physics.

25. The art of the soluble

Comment #95992 by zbob on December 9, 2007 at 4:22 pm

Bonzai,

Thank you for your comment. My comment attempted to explain the nature of ABSOLUTE space-time where, since all subjective time is relative depending on the observer's speed through space relative to another observer and their relative position in the universe, there is no objective, absolute time or absolute space as Newton proposed. Instead, since there is no objective "now" due to the relative, subjective observation of space-time, the only thing that is real is the whole of space-time. As theoretical physicist Brian Greene concludes before quoting Einstein on the ultimate illusion of past, present and future: "reality encompasses all of the events of space-time". Although I studied astronomy and theoretical physics in undergraduate college, I am not a physicist. My ability to explain the theory is limited. For anyone interested in theoretical physics, I would highly recommend Brian Greene's "The Fabric of the Cosmos" and the amazing "Wholeness and the Implicate Order" by David Bohm.

In my opinion, the "illusion" to which Einstein refers, is obviously necessary for any conscious creature to evolve biologically. It is, however, amazing that humans have progressed scientifically to a point where we can theorize a complexity of the multiverse so beyond our primate perceptions and experiences.

Dr. Benway,

Unfortunately, you are correct, the 80's will forever exist in it's slices of space-time regardless of how much we desire it's eternal demise.

26. The art of the soluble

Comment #95938 by zbob on December 9, 2007 at 1:56 pm

Dr. Benway,

Thank you for the early 1980's Musical Youth reference.

For an excellent website explaining the timeless nature of our multiverse from a theoretical physics perspective, please go to:
http://www.everythingforever.com

27. The art of the soluble

Comment #95842 by zbob on December 9, 2007 at 10:34 am

If science could prove or, at least, show to a high probability, that there is a timeless, transcendent order of ultimate reality without the necessity of a "god", theism would die a very rapid death. (Haven't theoretical physicists already theorized such an order of absolute reality? See below) In a global religious climate where too many "believers" of differing faiths look forward to a reward in the "afterlife", I urge people to experience the peace and joy of the "kingdom of heaven" , "nirvana", "paradise" (a state of consciousness of non-suffering) NOW.

In my opinion, the central question to the inquiry into an "afterlife" is the determination of the nature of eternity. It appears that most people who discuss this topic are presuming a "Newtonian" view of absolute time and excluding from the discussion the theory of absolute space-time as espoused by Einstein and Minkowski. While I will not attempt to explain the intricacies of the theories of relativity, suffice it to say that Einstein thought that the distinction between past, present and future is an illusion. While most of us continue to interpret our existence in the universe by perceiving the material manifested world around us by employing the skills we inherited through biological evolution, modern theoretical physics has, of course, extended our manner of interpreting the universe to forever alter our understanding of both relative, subjective reality and absolute, objective reality. Albert Einstein stated that "since there exists in the four dimensional structure (space-time) no longer any sections which represent "now" objectively, the concepts of happening and becoming are indeed not completely suspended but yet complicated. It appears therefore more natural to think of physical reality as a four dimensional existence, instead of, as hitherto, the evolution of a three dimensional existence." Einstein went on to state that there is not a true division between past and future, but rather a single existence. In other words, the distinction between past, present and future is an illusion.

Therefore, if eternity is timelessness and our conscious experiences are part of this timelessness, then do our actions and thoughts exist in this timeless eternity? As theoretical physicist David Bohm stated: "Ultimately, all moments are really one. Therefore now is eternity" Or as theoretical physicist Brian Greene says: "Just as we envision all of space as really being out there, as really existing, we should also envision all of time as really being out there, as really existing too."

If you look at the ESSENCE of the consciousness teachings of all of the great spiritual teachers throughout history and subtract the need for a creator "god", you will find an answer to the question of how to act and think in every moment of your life to touch YOUR subjective, relative part of the "kingdom of heaven" "nirvana", "paradise" NOW.

28. Fox: 'Atheist Outrage' over holiday 'Tree of Knowledge'

Comment #94700 by zbob on December 6, 2007 at 9:32 am

A few comments about the "tree of knowledge":

If one reads the truly allegorical story of "creation" as espoused in Genesis literally then one can conclude that the Abrahamic "god" does not want humans to have knowledge of any type that challenges "god's" authority. But in interpreting the allegory, could the "tree of knowledge" represent the ability of humans to verbally conceptualise our experiences and to store that knowledge within our large brains? Did the evolution of our species allow us to create vivid conceptual images of the past, present and future as a survival technique in a world with bigger, stronger competition? Is not the knowledge of good and evil a manner by which intelligent, self-aware beings conceptualise their apparent reality and create cultural and societal well-being? Humans conceptualise their surroundings and phenomena in almost every moment of consciousness. Another necessary strategy for survival is the ability to distinguish one's self from other selves. Of course, other animals also seem to be able to distinguish their individual entities from other entities but to our knowledge, we may be the only animals to have evolved to the point of complex conceptual self reflection. (Genesis-they knew they were naked). But doesn't our false, complex creation of an illusory "self" separate each "individual" from the true nature of the universe. The allegory refers to our realisation of our ultimately illusory separateness from the ultimate oneness of the multiverse.

29. Are Scientists Playing God? It Depends on Your Religion

Comment #89658 by zbob on November 21, 2007 at 12:00 pm

As someone who has practiced a form of zazen for nearly three years, I agree that the eastern philosophical viewpoint allows for a more monistic view of the material world which provides a more liberal outlook concerning genetic research. While I do not adhere to the speculative theories of reincarnation or karma, I do agree with the philosophy that our sense of "self" is ultimately an illusion. If one looks deeply into their existence, one can determine that humans are not separate entities from the rest of the universe. Our ability to distinguish ourselves from other humans or animals or plants is an evolutionary strategy for self survival. Anyone interested should research the work produced by Dr. Susan Blackmore, the British neuro-psychologist who basically states that the brain creates an illusory self. As a memetic theorist, Dr. Blackmore theorizes that through memetic evolution and biological protection, a selfplex is created which thinks it is conscious and has free will but this is illusory.

Therefore, our burgeoning abilities to manipulate the material world through genetic engineering is perfectly consistent with my "oneness" philosophy and can lead to a better world for all of us. On a personal note, I have a 10 year old son who suffered brain damage at birth due to oxygen deprivation. While the genetic research may never aid him, other people in similar circumstances in our future may benefit from this field of science.

Finally, I agree with Annabanana that the goal at this time by the genetic researchers is to allow for the production of individual organs or tissues. How could anyone have a "moral" problem with that goal?