This site presents some philosophical musings by T L Hurst. A brief summary of each paper is below...
This paper looks at the main philosophic positions on free will. It suggests that the arguments for causal determinism being compatible with free will are invalid. The term "freewillism" is introduced, and the differences between freewillism, determinism and libertarianism are discussed. As is the mechanism whereby freewillism supports free will. A mapping of the philosophic positions on free will to the types of causation is derived, and the evidence supporting the types of causation considered.
This paper looks at Searle's 1980 thought experiment "The Chinese Room" and its relevance today. It concludes that Searle's view that a modern computer has no understanding, and is not the "right stuff" to support intent, does not follow from his argument. As such, it limits the relevance of the scenario to modern AI research.
This paper suggests that the arguments for compatibilism are invalid because they use incompatible definitions of causal determinism and free will, an illegitimate definition of free will, and a logical fallacy concerning free will and morality.
This paper suggests that the best evidence that reality exists outside our perception of it, is that it contains objects that are intentionally designed. These either exist in themselves, or they indicate the existence of an objective entity that makes them appear to exist. So, in either case, an objective reality exists.
Philosophy and Quantum Mechanics
This paper discusses aspects of Quantum Mechanics that are of interest to non-scientists, but seem to be widely misunderstood. The Uncertainty Principle, the Dual Slit experiment and the Observer Effect are briefly discussed, as are the standard and alternative interpretations of quantum mechanics. Two thought experiments are considered: Schrodinger's Cat, and the Light Switch.
This paper looks at the relationship between truth and reality, and identifies a number of terms that are relevant. The terms are grouped under four headings: Category, Scope, Class and Usage. Together, these factors form a four dimensional matrix, which is represented in a table by embedding an array of two of the factors in each cell of another array representing the other two factors.