The World and All Life in it are part of an Experiment

Use this forum to discuss the philosophy of science. Philosophy of science deals with the assumptions, foundations, and implications of science.
Post Reply
User avatar
UniversalAlien
Posts: 1596
Joined: March 20th, 2012, 9:37 pm
Contact:

The World and All Life in it are part of an Experiment

Post by UniversalAlien »

An obvious observation of all observable natural history shows an ongoing experimental process right from the beginning :idea: :arrow:

All that occurs in the physical and biological World shows continuous experimentation
- All that is happening now and from the beginning of observable time has occurred in a manner showing experimental processes.

When life began, supposedly with one cell, that cell split to create two - And then, as if set by deliberate experimental direction,
multiplied so as to create life forms of greater and greater complexity with an Evolutionary process that eliminated some life forms
and furthered the development of others.

This experimental process is ongoing and only DNA and genetics allows Man to predict and/or tamper with the experimental process :idea:


WHO OR WHAT SET THE ORIGINAL EXPERIMENT INTO PLAY :?: ARE WE PART OF AN ALIEN EXPERIMENT :?: WHAT DO YOU THINK :?:
User avatar
JackDaydream
Posts: 3288
Joined: July 25th, 2021, 5:16 pm

Re: The World and All Life in it are part of an Experiment

Post by JackDaydream »

UniversalAlien wrote: February 17th, 2023, 8:14 am An obvious observation of all observable natural history shows an ongoing experimental process right from the beginning :idea: :arrow:

All that occurs in the physical and biological World shows continuous experimentation
- All that is happening now and from the beginning of observable time has occurred in a manner showing experimental processes.

When life began, supposedly with one cell, that cell split to create two - And then, as if set by deliberate experimental direction,
multiplied so as to create life forms of greater and greater complexity with an Evolutionary process that eliminated some life forms
and furthered the development of others.

This experimental process is ongoing and only DNA and genetics allows Man to predict and/or tamper with the experimental process :idea:


WHO OR WHAT SET THE ORIGINAL EXPERIMENT INTO PLAY :?: ARE WE PART OF AN ALIEN EXPERIMENT :?: WHAT DO YOU THINK :?:
I sometimes wonder about the 'experimental' nature of life and, I often see my own life as being very experimental. However, seeing it as being an underlying intentional experiment by some other being, whether it God or an alien being is another matter entirely. As a child I used to sometimes fantasise that I was a creation of some creature's mind, and I don't think that I saw this creature as God, funnily enough, even though I believed in God. It was more of an 'alien' being, but it was essentially a fantasy rather than a belief which I saw as objectively true. It is probably interconnected with the idea of 'reality' as a simulation.

Nevertheless, life is about the pursuit of many possible variables, in the pursuit of goals and dreams. It can be seen as an experimental drama. However, that may be more about framing of meaning. If anything, life is about the various juggling and juxtapositions of the many random evolutions of possibilities, as possible worlds. But, this may be imminent in the experiences of the life of sentient creatures, especially in human consciousness and it still raises the question of whether this is a 'purpose' in itself or simply an interpretive understanding of meaning.
User avatar
Bahman
Posts: 213
Joined: July 3rd, 2016, 11:51 am

Re: The World and All Life in it are part of an Experiment

Post by Bahman »

UniversalAlien wrote: February 17th, 2023, 8:14 am An obvious observation of all observable natural history shows an ongoing experimental process right from the beginning :idea: :arrow:

All that occurs in the physical and biological World shows continuous experimentation
- All that is happening now and from the beginning of observable time has occurred in a manner showing experimental processes.

When life began, supposedly with one cell, that cell split to create two - And then, as if set by deliberate experimental direction,
multiplied so as to create life forms of greater and greater complexity with an Evolutionary process that eliminated some life forms
and furthered the development of others.

This experimental process is ongoing and only DNA and genetics allows Man to predict and/or tamper with the experimental process :idea:


WHO OR WHAT SET THE ORIGINAL EXPERIMENT INTO PLAY :?: ARE WE PART OF AN ALIEN EXPERIMENT :?: WHAT DO YOU THINK :?:
I cannot counter whether we are the result of an experiment or not. I am wondering if you can show that we are the result of an experiment.
User avatar
UniversalAlien
Posts: 1596
Joined: March 20th, 2012, 9:37 pm
Contact:

Re: The World and All Life in it are part of an Experiment

Post by UniversalAlien »

Bahman wrote: February 17th, 2023, 12:58 pm
I cannot counter whether we are the result of an experiment or not. I am wondering if you can show that we are the result of an experiment.
As I said 'nature itself' appears to be engaged in an experimental process - Nature and the physical and biological universe IS experimenting
and probably was always experimenting.

The real questions are WHY :?: Who or what started it :?: And is there, or was there, any purpose to this experiment :?:
User avatar
Bahman
Posts: 213
Joined: July 3rd, 2016, 11:51 am

Re: The World and All Life in it are part of an Experiment

Post by Bahman »

UniversalAlien wrote: February 17th, 2023, 7:38 pm
Bahman wrote: February 17th, 2023, 12:58 pm
I cannot counter whether we are the result of an experiment or not. I am wondering if you can show that we are the result of an experiment.
As I said 'nature itself' appears to be engaged in an experimental process - Nature and the physical and biological universe IS experimenting
and probably was always experimenting.
There is of course natural process involved in life.
UniversalAlien wrote: February 17th, 2023, 7:38 pm The real questions are WHY :?:
This depends on whether there is a creator or not.
UniversalAlien wrote: February 17th, 2023, 7:38 pm Who or what started it :?:
I can show that time is acausal. For the rest of the stuff, who knows?
UniversalAlien wrote: February 17th, 2023, 7:38 pm And is there, or was there, any purpose to this experiment :?:
Again, this depends on whether there is a creator or not.
User avatar
UniversalAlien
Posts: 1596
Joined: March 20th, 2012, 9:37 pm
Contact:

Re: The World and All Life in it are part of an Experiment

Post by UniversalAlien »

Bahman quoting UniversalAlien wrote:
UniversalAlien wrote: ↑Yesterday, 3:38 pm
"And is there, or was there, any purpose to this experiment :?:"

Again, this depends on whether there is a creator or not.
Of course you ask a basic question - But I believe it is more complicated.

First, if there is A Creator the "why :?: " still remains - Why create anything if you are this hypothetically perfect entity :?:

And, again hypothetically, even if there is no Creator, the experimental nature of all existence still remains

- Why am I observing an experiment that I am part of :?:

Is the whole Universe a giant experiment :?: Creator of not, why is still the big question :?:

Can we infer that there are objectives to it all :?: :arrow: :idea:
User avatar
Bahman
Posts: 213
Joined: July 3rd, 2016, 11:51 am

Re: The World and All Life in it are part of an Experiment

Post by Bahman »

UniversalAlien wrote: February 18th, 2023, 7:56 pm Bahman quoting UniversalAlien wrote:
UniversalAlien wrote: ↑Yesterday, 3:38 pm
"And is there, or was there, any purpose to this experiment :?:"

Again, this depends on whether there is a creator or not.
Of course you ask a basic question - But I believe it is more complicated.

First, if there is A Creator the "why :?: " still remains -
Are you asking why the creator persists to exist?
UniversalAlien wrote: February 18th, 2023, 7:56 pm Why create anything if you are this hypothetically perfect entity :?:
I cannot understand your question. I am not perfect.
UniversalAlien wrote: February 18th, 2023, 7:56 pm And, again hypothetically, even if there is no Creator, the experimental nature of all existence still remains
To me, there are entities so call minds that cannot be destroyed and they are the cause of all motions in the universe.
UniversalAlien wrote: February 18th, 2023, 7:56 pm - Why am I observing an experiment that I am part of :?:
But there would be no experiment if there was no God.
UniversalAlien wrote: February 18th, 2023, 7:56 pm Is the whole Universe a giant experiment :?: Creator of not, why is still the big question :?:

Can we infer that there are objectives to it all :?: :arrow: :idea:
I don't know whether there is an objective meaning in life.
User avatar
Count Lucanor
Posts: 2318
Joined: May 6th, 2017, 5:08 pm
Favorite Philosopher: Umberto Eco
Location: Panama
Contact:

Re: The World and All Life in it are part of an Experiment

Post by Count Lucanor »

UniversalAlien wrote: February 17th, 2023, 8:14 am


WHO OR WHAT SET THE ORIGINAL EXPERIMENT INTO PLAY :?: ARE WE PART OF AN ALIEN EXPERIMENT :?: WHAT DO YOU THINK :?:
I think you're seeing design where there isn't, that's what I think. Intelligent Design has been debunked many times before, but some people are still going along with it.
The wise are instructed by reason, average minds by experience, the stupid by necessity and the brute by instinct.
― Marcus Tullius Cicero
User avatar
UniversalAlien
Posts: 1596
Joined: March 20th, 2012, 9:37 pm
Contact:

Re: The World and All Life in it are part of an Experiment

Post by UniversalAlien »

Count Lucanor wrote: February 22nd, 2023, 9:37 pm
UniversalAlien wrote: February 17th, 2023, 8:14 am WHO OR WHAT SET THE ORIGINAL EXPERIMENT INTO PLAY :?: ARE WE PART OF AN ALIEN EXPERIMENT :?: WHAT DO YOU THINK :?:
I think you're seeing design where there isn't, that's what I think. Intelligent Design has been debunked many times before, but some people are still going along with it.
I see your point :!: - Afterall in a Universe of so called Intelligent Design, how would you account for all so called intelligent Humans
being as myopic and dumb as they apparently are :?:

I don't know if you can really debunk intelligent design - But certainly can prove Human stupidity :!:


“Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe.”

― Albert Einstein
User avatar
Count Lucanor
Posts: 2318
Joined: May 6th, 2017, 5:08 pm
Favorite Philosopher: Umberto Eco
Location: Panama
Contact:

Re: The World and All Life in it are part of an Experiment

Post by Count Lucanor »

UniversalAlien wrote: February 23rd, 2023, 5:58 am
Count Lucanor wrote: February 22nd, 2023, 9:37 pm
UniversalAlien wrote: February 17th, 2023, 8:14 am WHO OR WHAT SET THE ORIGINAL EXPERIMENT INTO PLAY :?: ARE WE PART OF AN ALIEN EXPERIMENT :?: WHAT DO YOU THINK :?:
I think you're seeing design where there isn't, that's what I think. Intelligent Design has been debunked many times before, but some people are still going along with it.
I see your point :!: - Afterall in a Universe of so called Intelligent Design, how would you account for all so called intelligent Humans
being as myopic and dumb as they apparently are :?:

I don't know if you can really debunk intelligent design - But certainly can prove Human stupidity :!:


“Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe.”

― Albert Einstein
Now you're right on the money!!!
The wise are instructed by reason, average minds by experience, the stupid by necessity and the brute by instinct.
― Marcus Tullius Cicero
Alan Masterman
Posts: 221
Joined: March 27th, 2011, 8:03 am

Re: The World and All Life in it are part of an Experiment

Post by Alan Masterman »

Shhhh! The mice might hear you. If they know that you've rumbed them, they'll be furious.

(with apologies to Douglas Adams)
User avatar
Sy Borg
Site Admin
Posts: 15154
Joined: December 16th, 2013, 9:05 pm

Re: The World and All Life in it are part of an Experiment

Post by Sy Borg »

What do I think?

UA, I think you are a great fan of science fiction. I'm a fan too. I also think Alan Masterman may have nailed it.

I also think Prometheus had a ton of plot holes. The watchmaker is blind.

Tangentially, it seems likely that Venus was habitable before Earth was, so it's possible that microbial life first emerged on Venus and made its way to Earth via asteroids released by volcanism or large meteor strikes.
User avatar
Pattern-chaser
Premium Member
Posts: 8385
Joined: September 22nd, 2019, 5:17 am
Favorite Philosopher: Cratylus
Location: England

Re: The World and All Life in it are part of an Experiment

Post by Pattern-chaser »

Bahman wrote: February 17th, 2023, 12:58 pm I cannot counter whether we are the result of an experiment or not. I am wondering if you can show that we are the result of an experiment.
UniversalAlien wrote: February 17th, 2023, 7:38 pm As I said 'nature itself' appears to be engaged in an experimental process - Nature and the physical and biological universe IS experimenting
and probably was always experimenting.
Experimentation is an intelligent and directed approach. Evolution (i.e. "nature"), on the other hand, is driven by random mutations, which are unintelligent and undirected. Big difference. I.e. nature is not "experimenting", nor is it obviously an experiment being performed by others. Life evolves.


Sy Borg wrote: May 10th, 2023, 5:23 pm I also think Prometheus had a ton of plot holes. The watchmaker is blind.
Yes, indeed. I think that's what I'm saying, too. 🙂
Pattern-chaser

"Who cares, wins"
User avatar
Sy Borg
Site Admin
Posts: 15154
Joined: December 16th, 2013, 9:05 pm

Re: The World and All Life in it are part of an Experiment

Post by Sy Borg »

The strong possibility that we Earthlings are alone in the galaxy, maybe the universe, makes us humans struggle for perspective. Personally, I think Earth hominids are probably the first technological species in this very, very young universe, which has another trillion years of star formation ahead of it. That is the most obvious explanation for the Fermi paradox.

The other disorienting issue is the uncertainty around how the universe came to be. That knowledge gap leaves room for gods and godlike "engineers", or for "turtles all the way down".

We can validly apply Occam's razor here. There's no point adding extra steps until there's at least some hint of evidence or them. It seems more likely that the universe created itself (which it is still doing) than creation by an entity with suspiciously humanlike attributes.

However, an issue remains that is more sci fi than most sci fi. Was ours the first Big Bang or were there many more beforehand? For all we know, this could be the quintillionth Big Bang, not the first.

If each successive universe produces stars for a trillion years like ours (a big if) then who knows what entities might have developed along the way, solving each existential challenge until they effectively became immortal, surviving (dormantly?) on vacuum energy. The presence of intelligence in space itself necessarily changes space, so they would necessarily influence subsequent Big Bangs. That would mean that theists, scientists and even UA were all somewhat correct ;)
Post Reply

Return to “Philosophy of Science”

2024 Philosophy Books of the Month

Launchpad Republic: America's Entrepreneurial Edge and Why It Matters

Launchpad Republic: America's Entrepreneurial Edge and Why It Matters
by Howard Wolk
July 2024

Quest: Finding Freddie: Reflections from the Other Side

Quest: Finding Freddie: Reflections from the Other Side
by Thomas Richard Spradlin
June 2024

Neither Safe Nor Effective

Neither Safe Nor Effective
by Dr. Colleen Huber
May 2024

Now or Never

Now or Never
by Mary Wasche
April 2024

Meditations

Meditations
by Marcus Aurelius
March 2024

Beyond the Golden Door: Seeing the American Dream Through an Immigrant's Eyes

Beyond the Golden Door: Seeing the American Dream Through an Immigrant's Eyes
by Ali Master
February 2024

The In-Between: Life in the Micro

The In-Between: Life in the Micro
by Christian Espinosa
January 2024

2023 Philosophy Books of the Month

Entanglement - Quantum and Otherwise

Entanglement - Quantum and Otherwise
by John K Danenbarger
January 2023

Mark Victor Hansen, Relentless: Wisdom Behind the Incomparable Chicken Soup for the Soul

Mark Victor Hansen, Relentless: Wisdom Behind the Incomparable Chicken Soup for the Soul
by Mitzi Perdue
February 2023

Rediscovering the Wisdom of Human Nature: How Civilization Destroys Happiness

Rediscovering the Wisdom of Human Nature: How Civilization Destroys Happiness
by Chet Shupe
March 2023

The Unfakeable Code®

The Unfakeable Code®
by Tony Jeton Selimi
April 2023

The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are

The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are
by Alan Watts
May 2023

Killing Abel

Killing Abel
by Michael Tieman
June 2023

Reconfigurement: Reconfiguring Your Life at Any Stage and Planning Ahead

Reconfigurement: Reconfiguring Your Life at Any Stage and Planning Ahead
by E. Alan Fleischauer
July 2023

First Survivor: The Impossible Childhood Cancer Breakthrough

First Survivor: The Impossible Childhood Cancer Breakthrough
by Mark Unger
August 2023

Predictably Irrational

Predictably Irrational
by Dan Ariely
September 2023

Artwords

Artwords
by Beatriz M. Robles
November 2023

Fireproof Happiness: Extinguishing Anxiety & Igniting Hope

Fireproof Happiness: Extinguishing Anxiety & Igniting Hope
by Dr. Randy Ross
December 2023

2022 Philosophy Books of the Month

Emotional Intelligence At Work

Emotional Intelligence At Work
by Richard M Contino & Penelope J Holt
January 2022

Free Will, Do You Have It?

Free Will, Do You Have It?
by Albertus Kral
February 2022

My Enemy in Vietnam

My Enemy in Vietnam
by Billy Springer
March 2022

2X2 on the Ark

2X2 on the Ark
by Mary J Giuffra, PhD
April 2022

The Maestro Monologue

The Maestro Monologue
by Rob White
May 2022

What Makes America Great

What Makes America Great
by Bob Dowell
June 2022

The Truth Is Beyond Belief!

The Truth Is Beyond Belief!
by Jerry Durr
July 2022

Living in Color

Living in Color
by Mike Murphy
August 2022 (tentative)

The Not So Great American Novel

The Not So Great American Novel
by James E Doucette
September 2022

Mary Jane Whiteley Coggeshall, Hicksite Quaker, Iowa/National Suffragette And Her Speeches

Mary Jane Whiteley Coggeshall, Hicksite Quaker, Iowa/National Suffragette And Her Speeches
by John N. (Jake) Ferris
October 2022

In It Together: The Beautiful Struggle Uniting Us All

In It Together: The Beautiful Struggle Uniting Us All
by Eckhart Aurelius Hughes
November 2022

The Smartest Person in the Room: The Root Cause and New Solution for Cybersecurity

The Smartest Person in the Room
by Christian Espinosa
December 2022

2021 Philosophy Books of the Month

The Biblical Clock: The Untold Secrets Linking the Universe and Humanity with God's Plan

The Biblical Clock
by Daniel Friedmann
March 2021

Wilderness Cry: A Scientific and Philosophical Approach to Understanding God and the Universe

Wilderness Cry
by Dr. Hilary L Hunt M.D.
April 2021

Fear Not, Dream Big, & Execute: Tools To Spark Your Dream And Ignite Your Follow-Through

Fear Not, Dream Big, & Execute
by Jeff Meyer
May 2021

Surviving the Business of Healthcare: Knowledge is Power

Surviving the Business of Healthcare
by Barbara Galutia Regis M.S. PA-C
June 2021

Winning the War on Cancer: The Epic Journey Towards a Natural Cure

Winning the War on Cancer
by Sylvie Beljanski
July 2021

Defining Moments of a Free Man from a Black Stream

Defining Moments of a Free Man from a Black Stream
by Dr Frank L Douglas
August 2021

If Life Stinks, Get Your Head Outta Your Buts

If Life Stinks, Get Your Head Outta Your Buts
by Mark L. Wdowiak
September 2021

The Preppers Medical Handbook

The Preppers Medical Handbook
by Dr. William W Forgey M.D.
October 2021

Natural Relief for Anxiety and Stress: A Practical Guide

Natural Relief for Anxiety and Stress
by Dr. Gustavo Kinrys, MD
November 2021

Dream For Peace: An Ambassador Memoir

Dream For Peace
by Dr. Ghoulem Berrah
December 2021