Big Think

Randall Menser commented on is there any remaining oppurtunity for originality? on April 5, 2008, 8:35 PM

I stand corrected. But I do consider your opinion and your knowledge of music to be found lacking amongst the majority of easy going and apathetic listeners...and my idea does state that todays originality is not so easily appreciated amongst the average joe.

Randall Menser commented on is there any remaining oppurtunity for originality? on April 4, 2008, 1:42 AM

clearly traditional western music? clearly? yes he has had an influence and yes modern music is a reflection of his contributions, but the only thing Im clear about is your misuse of the word traditional.

Randall Menser commented on the dilema of free will on February 27, 2008, 9:50 PM

If everything is a reaction to something occurring before it, then shouldn%u2019t it stand to reason that it is theoretically possible, while not practical or feasible, to calculate the direction our universe would take (provided we had some mega ultra super deluxe calculator of some sort). If that is the case, and everything is already predetermined, then I guess my only question would be to ask the purpose. Why? To what end does this perpetual propagation of cause and effect have%u2026I understand we lack the initial conditions to determine a prime cause, and that may prevent us from knowing the following, but what is the end game here? And does the removal of free will suggest a higher power? Simply because an initial spark seems imperative to set off this universe of ours. For instance, the belief in God shared by many is in actuality, according to our discussion, an effect, but what purpose does said effect have? To perpetuate cultural evolution? And to what purpose does that have? Speaking of evolution, why bother with all the failed or transitional versions? Why is that necessary in a determined universe, which seems bent on taking the long road. Why is anything necessary? I want omniscience!!! What cause grants that effect, cus I%u2019m find this all to be very frustrating

Randall Menser commented on Are philosophical enlightenment, protestantism and relativism somehow linked? on February 27, 2008, 1:04 AM

cultural evolution.

Randall Menser commented on the dilema of free will on February 27, 2008, 12:58 AM

Djebe and skeptic...thank you for commenting. I find your dialogue to be very interesting. However, I fail to see the relevance in bickering over the meaning of the term free will. Cant we just presume its colloquial meaning and move on? afterall, it was also Wittgenstein who said, "the sole remaining task for philosophy is the analysis of language" and while that may be an interesting subject, isnt this a matter of science? Most philosophers I know of do not have the most up to date knowledge regarding scientific theory and therefore their positions cannot be factored in when dealing with said theories. as far as the matter at hand is concerned, any ideas to the original cause...and furthermore, any thoughts to have effects are determined, that is to say, how is the left hand chosen from the right? how are the laws that govern our universe chosen from these trillions of chain reactions?nameless...while humorous...way of point, buddy. perhaps you should train your brain as well. ponderer...if I can come back to regard my earlier actions, whos to say my future self isnt watching me right now...or his future self..or his...forever and ever? so, which one of us has the ultimate free will...which one of us made the choices we made?chancery...the majority of religions are filled to the brim with paradox.