Re: Physics is as physics does

From: robert j. kolker (nowhere_at_nowhere.net)
Date: 02/02/05 

Date: Tue, 01 Feb 2005 22:52:10 -0500

Bilge wrote:

> No, your view is utterly ridiculous. Your alternatives are:
>
> (1) Biology is physics,
> (2) Biology is supernatural

There is a dualistic view of reality which postulates substances other
than matter yet just as real as matter. For example Descartes postulated
that mind (res cogitens) is a substance of a different nature and have
different laws than matter (res extensa). I disagree with dualism
vehemently, but I do not mistake it for supernaturalism. Descartes did
assume that mind has laws (of its own sort) and it was just as orderly
as matter.

Likewise untill about 150 years ago, scientists believed in Vital
Essence, or Life Force. It was just as natural as air, but had a non
material nature and non material laws. For a long time it was believed
that organic chemical compounds were infused with Vital Essence.

Another example: Caloric. It was assumed at one time that heat was a
kind of fluid somewhat like material fluids such as gasses or water, but
much more subtle and possessings its own laws. We now believe heat to be
the motion of particles. So there are other alternatives than the ones
you stated.

However, the common trend of thinking among scientists these days, is
that the world is material. It consists of fields and particles
operating under physical laws. And that even subtle processes like
consciousness reduce to material interactions (not to be restricted to
mechanical interactions). I am of that opinion too. I believe that mind
is a epiphenomenon of matter (particles and fields interacting).

Bob Kolker

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