jcd11235

I was taught that that the scientific process consists of observation experimentation and reason. Yes, and the observation of evidence & logical conclusions drawn from those observations. Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

I don't remember claiming otherwise. The qualitative perception of free will is important, imo. The paper to which you linked supports that opinion. I'm trying to do no such thing. I was simply hoping you would be able to support your assertions. I disagree with your conclusion, and do not feel it is has been justified. The Uncertainty Principle is a mathematical relation which seems to be nonsensical in the earliest stages of the universe, particularly at t=0. Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

That completely depends on your definition of free will. You could define the abstract notion of free will as: free will exists if decisions are made (in response to external input) that are neither externally determined nor random and are not consequences of the laws of physics. What comprises external determination? External to what? How are you defining random? (Whether anything can even be totally random is a topic worthy of its own lengthy discussion.) What do you mean by "appears to satisfy"? Does there need to be objective quantifiable evidence, or will a qualitative feeling suffice? I'm not sure I follow you here. By your definition, the existence of phenomenological free will would imply abstract free will, since the properties of phenomenological free will are necessary conditions of abstract free will. In fact, by your definitions, there doesn't seem to be any significant differences between phenomenological free will and abstract free will. At any rate, you seem to be arguing for the existence of free will based on assumptions of its existence, and not based on quantitative evidence. While the experiments to which nerdgirl linked do not definitively prove that free will does not exist, they do offer credible evidence to justify scientific consideration of the possibility that free will doesn't exist. BTW, did you ever come up with an explanation of how the universe's total energy increased between time_zero of the universe (singularity) and some arbitrary time_x (x > 0) prior to the formation of mass to support your assertion that the Uncertainty Principle held true during that period? Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

To prove? No. Science rarely proves anything. They find the most likely (i.e. most probable) explanations, explanations that can be shown to be incorrect at any time with appropriate evidence. However, genetics has substantial evidence supporting evolution. There is no evidence of ID. To consider ID an alternative scientific explanation to evolution is disingenuous and shows an ignorance of how the scientific method works. While there is certainly a church/state aspect to the controversy, at its center is an attempt to teach religion as science without regard to what science actually is. ID proponents suggest assuming a divine creator until it can be proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that such a creator does not exist. Scientists and proponents of science assume nothing for which there is not evidence. Since there is zero evidence of a divine creator, science has zero reason to consider a divine creator to explain the existence of anything. Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

I'm not implying your claims is incorrect, but do you have any studies supporting those assertions? Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

Not in any state I've ever lived in. A voter registration card is free, but there has always been a charge for an ID card. Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

Yes, more so the way you post than be outside the law and be ethical, which was more to my point So, we have established that something can be legal, but not be ethical. Now, let's say, hypothetically, that one of my friends has been over at my house drinking. He decides to leave, but is obviously too drunk to drive. He insists he is sober, and is way too large for me or my other friends to forcefully remove his keys from his possession. One of my other friends distracts him with some reason to drink another beer before he leaves. While they drink their beer, I sneak outside and remove two of the wheels from his car, leaving the car on jack stands, and locking up the wheels in a detached garage until such time my friend is sober again. Is my theft of my friends wheels ethical, despite being illegal, since it keeps a drunk person from getting behind the wheel and driving, putting himself and others at risk? Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

Not at all. Science uses words very precisely so that interpretations of statements are not subjective. How did you reach that conclusion? Science is limited to that which can be tested by way of experiment and observable (directly or indirectly) evidence. It doesn't matter what I wish. Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

There is nothing that proves that the Flying Spaghetti Monster is not real, either. Should we teach about FSM in Biology class? There is no evidence supporting ID (or FSM), and neither is testable in such a manner as to allow them to be disproved. Thus, they are not science, by science's very definition. Science starts with zero assumptions. A scientific conclusion is found through observation and logic, and is subject to be disproved through observation and logic at any given time. Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

Do you have experimental evidence of the existence of free will, or are you basing you conclusions on an assumption of its existence? Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

You make far too many assumptions to suggest your "theory" (it's certainly not a theory, or even a hypothesis, in any scientific sense) is the only alternative to being the only form of life in the universe. Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

Please enlighten us as to what the "most obvious possibility" is. If the universe cycles, then the cycle is the cause of the beginning of the universe as we know it. Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

I have yet to see, here about or read about any scientific hypothesis suggesting ID is a plausible explanation of life or the human form. If you know of any, let us know. In the meantime, I'll assume that the reason ID proponents don't get the funding they think they deserve is not because they are being discriminated against, but because they are unable to propose ID in any manner that allows it to be tested repeatedly and independently, and possibly disproved, fundamental requirements of any scientific hypothesis. Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

The Big Bang theory simply tells us that the universe expanded from a singularity. It does not tell us anything about how that singularity came to be. It could be but a single stage in an eternal cycle; we simply do not know. In other words, the universe as we know it had a beginning, but thus far, we know of no way of extracting the necessary information about the origins of the singularity. Heck, we still don't understand the first 10^(-57) seconds after the Big Bang. That doesn't mean that we should attribute the universe to a deity. Science is not so insecure as to not be able to acknowledge that it doesn't know the answer. Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

Except that registering is free. Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

I've served in both regular Army and Army Reserves, both in peacetime, so the following for what it's worth. First, investigate all your options before you commit yourself to any particular path, either in your mind or in a contract. That means exploring what Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines, as well as their reserve/nat guard components can offer you. They are all part of the same team. Don't get caught up in the idea of being an 11B until you find out what is available to you. This is especially true if the line scores on your ASVAB are high. There may be some jobs that involve valuable training (that has a civilian application) that you may well regret passing up ten years down the road. In hindsight, I would have been much better served to have signed up for the software analyst MOS that was offered to me instead of the cannon crewmember MOS. Being a bit more patient and going into the Air Force also would have been a superior choice, with the benefit of hindsight. Especially having a young child, you should take advantage of the best opportunities available to you. The sacrifice you are making is not lessened any by not being combat arms. An army marches on its stomach. Combat arms units are worthless without support units. I didn't much like the Reserves. They were far more laid back than regular Army, but in combat, I would have been far more comfortable fighting next to the troops from my active duty unit rather than the troops from my reserve unit. I'm not sure how applicable that perception is today, since most of the troops you'll come across in any branch or component will likely have been to the sandbox. Don't worry so much about being able to pass the APFT before going in. Odds are excellent that you'll get in enough PT to pass without a problem before you graduate. Having said that, be aware that a pushup to Army standards is not the same as a pushup to high school physical education standards. Also, keep in mind that basic training is fun. Sure, parts of it suck, but you'll get to do things you'll probably never get the opportunity to do again. It's an eight week game. Don't get me wrong, you'll learn a lot of important stuff, and you should take it seriously, but it's as much about learning to be a team player as it is about individual performance. It will be a lot more enjoyable if you don't let the Drill Sergeants get inside your head. Enjoy it. In basic training, there are only two things you want your Drill Sergeants to ever notice about you, giving 110 percent, even when things get tough, and being a team player. Everything else is details. BTW, I'm not trying to say not to go Infantry. Just don't go infantry without first knowing what your other options are. Think about long term benefits; don't sell yourself short because of some romantic notion that the only real soldiers are 11B or combat arms, cause it just ain't true, regardless of what us combat arms troops might like to claim while we're in or after we're out. Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

So, if I am reading your post as intended, you would agree that there exists the possibility for a person or corporation to operate within the rule of law and still be operating unethically. Is that correct? Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

Wouldn't that make voting a privilege and not a right? Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

Sorry, I didnt realize I was! You must have some good hearing ALL CAPS equals SHOUTING! It considered impolite in internet forums (unless your intent is to come across as shouting), just so you're aware.

Why are you SHOUTING? Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

I DO understand the reverse side of it. There is a right to vote - the most fundamental right of a democratic system. BUT - even I agree that the "right to vote" should not be "unlimited." The interests of the federal government, states, counties, cities, and individuals MUST be taken into consideration, as well. A system grounded in democracy loses its legitimacy when questions surround who voted are brought to light. When exercising the right to vote, in a balance of rights would necessarily implicate that someone else is not exercising MY right. And to ensure that someone is not exercising anyone ELSE's right. I believe that all persons have an equal right to vote - one person one vote. Not one person four votes. The best way to do that is to require some evidence of who the person is who is voting. That way, someone claiming to be you does not show up and vote. There is NOTHING in my leanings to indicate that I believe that freedom to vote should be unfettered at the expense of accuracy. I largely agree with you. I don't have an issue with having to prove my identity before voting. My concern is those (admittedly few) without an acceptable ID being turned away from voting booths. I would like to see some safeguard in place to keep that from happening. That the problem would be small only makes it less likely to be addressed. Personally, my driver license is not issued by the same state in which I'm registered to vote. Furthermore, I don't want to change my license, and I'm not sure I can get a non-driver license from this state while holding a driver license from another. (Nor am I sure that I can't.) Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

I would disagree wholeheartedly. Is a very small number compared to the number of deaths caused by tobacco, and would also be decreased significantly if the drug war were ended. Leads me to believe you (knowingly) know few, if any. My experience is that there are a few that are scumbags, but far more who aren't, and the ethical ones outweigh the unethical ones by a considerable margin. Hmmm … considering whites use more illegal drugs than blacks, it seems your conclusion is faulty. Like I said, it seems you don't know any dealers, or probably more accurately, the dealers you do know don't share that information about themselves with you. The imagery that you paint sounds more like a television crime drama than reality. Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

Do you consider the tobacco companies, such as Phillip Morris or R.J. Reynolds, to be ethical corporations over the course of their existence? Why or why not? Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

That's what I was wondering. Could a registered voter obtain an ID for free to avoid poll taxes, prohibited by Amendment 24 of the US Constitution? If the 24th doesn't apply in this situation, why not? Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

Don't all their asshats count? Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!