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Single Idea 22919
[filed under theme 7. Existence / A. Nature of Existence / 3. Being / d. Non-being
]
Full Idea
It is a powerful argument for something's non-existence that it would make absolutely no difference.
Gist of Idea
A thing which makes no difference seems unlikely to exist
Source
Robin Le Poidevin (Travels in Four Dimensions [2003], 02 'Everything')
Book Ref
Le Poidevin,Robin: 'Travels in Four Dimensions' [OUP 2003], p.27
A Reaction
Powerful, but not conclusive. Neutrinos don't seem to do much, so it isn't far from there to get a particle which does nothing.
Related Idea
Idea 7022
To be is to have a capacity, to act on other things, or to receive actions [Plato]
The
30 ideas
from 'Travels in Four Dimensions'
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22919
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A thing which makes no difference seems unlikely to exist
[Le Poidevin]
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22917
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Since nothing occurs in a temporal vacuum, there is no way to measure its length
[Le Poidevin]
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22921
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Temporal vacuums would be unexperienced, unmeasured, and unending
[Le Poidevin]
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22922
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We can identify unoccupied points in space, so they must exist
[Le Poidevin]
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22923
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Absolute space explains actual and potential positions, and geometrical truths
[Le Poidevin]
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22924
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If spatial points exist, then they must be stationary, by definition
[Le Poidevin]
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22928
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For relationists moving an object beyond the edge of space creates new space
[Le Poidevin]
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22927
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The logical properties of causation are asymmetry, transitivity and irreflexivity
[Le Poidevin]
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22926
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In addition to causal explanations, they can also be inferential, or definitional, or purposive
[Le Poidevin]
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22925
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The present is the past/future boundary, so the first moment of time was not present
[Le Poidevin]
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22937
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If the present could have diverse pasts, then past truths can't have present truthmakers
[Le Poidevin]
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22938
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To say that the past causes the present needs them both to be equally real
[Le Poidevin]
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22934
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Time can't speed up or slow down, so it doesn't seem to be a 'process'
[Le Poidevin]
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22931
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We distinguish time from space, because it passes, and it has a unique present moment
[Le Poidevin]
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22932
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We don't just describe a time as 'now' from a private viewpoint, but as a fact about the world
[Le Poidevin]
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22939
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The B-series doesn't seem to allow change
[Le Poidevin]
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22940
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If the B-universe is eternal, why am I trapped in a changing moment of it?
[Le Poidevin]
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22944
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The primitive parts of time are intervals, not instants
[Le Poidevin]
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22943
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Instantaneous motion is an intrinsic disposition to be elsewhere
[Le Poidevin]
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22942
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If time is infinitely divisible, then the present must be infinitely short
[Le Poidevin]
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22941
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How could a timeless God know what time it is? So could God be both timeless and omniscient?
[Le Poidevin]
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22945
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The dynamic view of motion says it is primitive, and not reducible to objects, properties and times
[Le Poidevin]
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22946
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The multiverse is distinct time-series, as well as spaces
[Le Poidevin]
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22947
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An ordered series can be undirected, but time favours moving from earlier to later
[Le Poidevin]
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22952
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If time's arrow is causal, how can there be non-simultaneous events that are causally unconnected?
[Le Poidevin]
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22953
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Time's arrow is not causal if there is no temporal gap between cause and effect
[Le Poidevin]
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22951
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If time's arrow is psychological then different minds can impose different orders on events
[Le Poidevin]
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22948
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There are Thermodynamic, Psychological and Causal arrows of time
[Le Poidevin]
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22949
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Presumably if time's arrow is thermodynamic then time ends when entropy is complete
[Le Poidevin]
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22950
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If time is thermodynamic then entropy is necessary - but the theory says it is probable
[Le Poidevin]
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