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Single Idea 19671

[filed under theme 10. Modality / B. Possibility / 7. Chance ]

Full Idea

The very notion of chance is only conceivable on condition that there are unalterable physical laws.

Gist of Idea

The idea of chance relies on unalterable physical laws

Source

Quentin Meillassoux (After Finitude; the necessity of contingency [2006], 4)

Book Ref

Meillassoux: 'After Finitude: the necessity of contingency', ed/tr. Brassier,R [Bloomsbury 2008], p.99

A Reaction

Laws might be contingent, even though they never alter. Chance in horse racing relies on the stability of whole institution of horse racing.

The 25 ideas from Quentin Meillassoux

19648 Since Kant we think we can only access 'correlations' between thinking and being [Meillassoux]
19649 Since Kant, objectivity is defined not by the object, but by the statement's potential universality [Meillassoux]
19651 Unlike speculative idealism, transcendental idealism assumes the mind is embodied [Meillassoux]
19647 The aspects of objects that can be mathematical allow it to have objective properties [Meillassoux]
19652 How can we mathematically describe a world that lacks humans? [Meillassoux]
19650 The transcendental subject is not an entity, but a set of conditions making science possible [Meillassoux]
19653 The ontological proof of a necessary God ensures a reality external to the mind [Meillassoux]
19658 Now that the absolute is unthinkable, even atheism is just another religious belief (though nihilist) [Meillassoux]
19654 We must give up the modern criterion of existence, which is a correlation between thought and being [Meillassoux]
19657 In Kant the thing-in-itself is unknowable, but for us it has become unthinkable [Meillassoux]
19656 Non-contradiction is unjustified, so it only reveals a fact about thinking, not about reality? [Meillassoux]
19664 Paraconsistent logics are to prevent computers crashing when data conflicts [Meillassoux]
19663 We can allow contradictions in thought, but not inconsistency [Meillassoux]
19665 Paraconsistent logic is about statements, not about contradictions in reality [Meillassoux]
19660 Possible non-being which must be realised is 'precariousness'; absolute contingency might never not-be [Meillassoux]
19659 The absolute is the impossibility of there being a necessary existent [Meillassoux]
19662 It is necessarily contingent that there is one thing rather than another - so something must exist [Meillassoux]
19666 If we insist on Sufficient Reason the world will always be a mystery to us [Meillassoux]
19671 The idea of chance relies on unalterable physical laws [Meillassoux]
19668 Hume's question is whether experimental science will still be valid tomorrow [Meillassoux]
19667 If the laws of nature are contingent, shouldn't we already have noticed it? [Meillassoux]
19670 Why are contingent laws of nature stable? [Meillassoux]
19677 What is mathematically conceivable is absolutely possible [Meillassoux]
19675 Since Kant, philosophers have claimed to understand science better than scientists do [Meillassoux]
19674 The Copernican Revolution decentres the Earth, but also decentres thinking from reality [Meillassoux]