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Scott, I guess you can wear both hats at the same time, but can only perceive one at a time according to quantum physics?? Isn't this kind of like Shroedenger's cat that is both dead and alive? Ray ----- Original Message ----- From: "Scott E. Antes" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Wednesday, March 21, 2007 9:56 AM Subject: Re: "Biocentric" theory of universe > Hi Ray and Bernie. > > Reality largely is another word for truth. In other words, our truth is > our > reality. We basically have two kinds of truth: absolute and relative. > Absolute is what *is*, period, but what no one really knows, because we > all > have different ideas about what it is. We could say that time and space > and > life--as I mentioned in an earlier posting--are the closest to being > absolute > truths, since most every human recognizes their existence (albeit in > different > ways). For the most part, though, we all operate on relative truth, that > which each of us *believes* to be true. The key word here is belief. We > can't *know* truth; the best we can do is *believe* it. Science, for > example, > is not based on truth. It is based on facts. Facts simply represent an > absence of falsehood. We can *know* facts; we don't have to believe them. > Of > course, this knowledge does contribute to the formation of individual > "realities," but realities based on knowledge rather than truth. For > example, > with my scientist's hat on, I believe nothing, because belief does not > require > evidence. (In science we require evidence in order to make factual > statements.) In my scientist mode, then, do I have a sense of reality? > Of > course, but it is a different kind of reality than that of a believer. > Can > one wear both the scientist's hat and the believer's hat at the same time? > Sure. Science doesn't have all the answers to reality. Scott > >>===== Original Message From Parkinson's Information Exchange Network > <[log in to unmask]> ===== >>Hi Bernie, >> >>I think Lanza would say that "reality" is relative (wonder about origin of >>this word - from the Latin "to carry back") to the perceiver, although I >>would guess dogs perceive a dog-centered or as Amanda Phillips put it a >>"biscuit-centered" universe, while humans experience a reality that is >>also >>common, yet different for each person based on their experience. As you >>might imagine, I tend to agree with you. >>Ray >>----- Original Message ----- >>From: "Bernard Barber Ph.D." <[log in to unmask]> >>To: <[log in to unmask]> >>Sent: Saturday, March 17, 2007 10:38 AM >>Subject: Re: "Biocentric" theory of universe >> >> >>> Hi Scott and Ray, >>> >>> Good for you regarding; Dr.Lanza's article. Now what is a good >>> definition >>> of >>> "Reality". It seems to me that all knowledge is relative to the human >>> experience. It is driving force for the continuation of the human quest. >>> >>> Thanks >>> >>> Bernie >>> >>> -----Original Message----- >>> From: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network >>> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of rayilynlee >>> Sent: Friday, March 16, 2007 10:18 AM >>> To: [log in to unmask] >>> Subject: Re: "Biocentric" theory of universe >>> >>> Scott: >>> Lanza was the researcher who did the gene biopsy type study that showed >>> that >>> one cell could be taken without destroying the blastocyst. His work >>> became >>> the subject of much argument. >>> >>> I think what he meant was that space and time is how we experience >>> consciousness. Certainly before we were born or existed we experienced >>> neither. I think his idea that all living creatures are bound by >>> themselves >>> is a good one. For example, it is difficult especially with respect to >>> religion to escape anthropomorphism whether you are a believer or not. >>> I'm >>> guessing my dog Spike does not see the issue in the same way I do. We >>> are >>> both restricted by who and what we are. >>> >>> I only posted this because Lanza is a stem cell researcher and I thought >>> his >>> ideas were interesting. >>> Ray >>> ----- Original Message ----- >>> From: "Scott E. Antes" <[log in to unmask]> >>> To: <[log in to unmask]> >>> Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2007 7:44 AM >>> Subject: Re: "Biocentric" theory of universe >>> >>> >>>>I wanted to say something earlier, but too many students this semester! >>>>I'm >>>> not sure what this has to do with PD, but: I do not know Dr. Lanza, nor >>>> have I >>>> read his work, so I am going strictly by the interview posted on this >>>> list. >>>> This is not--by any stretch of the imagination--a biocentric universe. >>>> Biology is a relative latecomer to the big picture. Plus, of all >>>> matter >>>> that >>>> exists in our universe, biology makes up only a tiny fraction. Most of >>>> the >>>> universe is void of life, and--as best we know--always has been. >>>> >>>> If Dr. Lanza is saying that we humans basically construct and >>>> reconstruct >>>> our >>>> universe (actually, our *notion* of the universe) as we gain more >>>> knowledge >>>> and understanding of it--and as previous notions get pushed aside, then >>>> all of >>>> us in the scientific community would agree. It's all a matter of >>>> operating >>>> under the current paradigm (either social or scientific). >>>> >>>> Time and space. Time and space and life are about the only three >>>> absolute >>>> truths in existence. The devout Buddhist might say that even these are >>>> simply >>>> illusion. Thus, humans define these terms in all sorts of cultural >>>> ways. >>>> Whether illusion or truth, we practical people have to recognize that >>>> we >>>> work >>>> within their infinite borders. Infinite for time and space, that is. >>>> Not >>>> for >>>> life. Life begins and ends, whereas time and space do not. A >>>> biocentric >>>> universe? Hardly. >>>> >>>> Scott Antes >>>> >>>>===== Original Message From Parkinson's Information Exchange Network >>>> <[log in to unmask]> ===== >>>>I think Dr. Lanza is one smart guy. I never did believe "time" was >>>>real. >>>>Ray >>>> >>>> Scott E. Antes >>>> Department of Anthropology >>>> Northern Arizona University >>>> Flagstaff, AZ 86011-5200 >>>> >>>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- >>>> To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: >>>> mailto:[log in to unmask] >>>> In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn >>> >>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- >>> To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: >>> mailto:[log in to unmask] >>> In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn >>> >>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- >>> To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: >>> mailto:[log in to unmask] >>> In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn >> >>---------------------------------------------------------------------- >>To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: >>mailto:[log in to unmask] >>In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn > > Scott E. Antes > Department of Anthropology > Northern Arizona University > Flagstaff, AZ 86011-5200 > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: > mailto:[log in to unmask] > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn