STRIP FOR Nov 4, 2008
Comments
User Name: psionl0
Feb 5, 2009
0
We don't know that the universe is deterministic.
We can't precisely measure both the position and momentum of a particle (because the measuring instrument interferes with the particle) so we use quantum theory (essentially a branch of statistics) to analyze the whole possible range of behaviors that may result from an observation.
In other words, even if we "knew" the exact state of the universe at any one time, there would be a number of paths that the universe could follow from that time onwards.
This analysis doesn't even deal with the question of whether life is simply the sum of the components of the universe or whether it is something else altogether.
Since we don't actually know, Dilbert may ASSUME that the universe is deterministic - ie: he is entitled to his beliefs.
We can't precisely measure both the position and momentum of a particle (because the measuring instrument interferes with the particle) so we use quantum theory (essentially a branch of statistics) to analyze the whole possible range of behaviors that may result from an observation.
In other words, even if we "knew" the exact state of the universe at any one time, there would be a number of paths that the universe could follow from that time onwards.
This analysis doesn't even deal with the question of whether life is simply the sum of the components of the universe or whether it is something else altogether.
Since we don't actually know, Dilbert may ASSUME that the universe is deterministic - ie: he is entitled to his beliefs.
User Name: normbear
Jan 23, 2009
+1
Success or failure can only be determined from a limited, short-term point of view. Everything was "meant to be"--that is, grew out of preceding !$%*!$%*!$%*!$%*! you take Science as a reliable way of solving problems. The humor, for me, is that Dilbert responded to a small-minded question with a big-minded answer.
User Name: DoctorLes
Dec 19, 2008
0
As the founder of the Yahoo! group "Determinism", I am thrilled to find this cartoon here. Bravo! Mr. Adams
User Name: normbear
Nov 10, 2008
+1
This strip is certainly an expression of MY personal beliefs. Thanks for making them available to a wider audience.
Laughingly,
Norm
Laughingly,
Norm
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