Dear John,
I am not trying to say that there are no abstract objects, just no abstract
individuals, i.e. objects that have a temporal extent but no spatial extent. (01)
> I agree with the point that Hans is trying to make, but I would
characterize
> it by asking the following two questions:
>
> 1. Physical laws: Do you believe that the laws of physics exist?
> In other words, are the laws of physics really real in the same
> sense that the things you see and touch are real? (I don't mean
> any particular statement, such as F=ma or E=mc^2, but the laws
> that govern the universe, of which any human statement is an
> approximation.) (02)
MW: I don't know what you mean by this. What is the difference between
"existence" and "real existence"? What laws that govern the universe? How is
F=ma not one of them? (03)
MW: I would generally consider rules to be classes of activity, and
therefore abstract. The question is what do they apply to. If they are
universal then they apply to all spatio-temporal extents in this universe
and at least all possible worlds that branch from this universe. There may
be other disconnected possible worlds where other rules apply.
>
> 2. Social laws, norms, or habits: Do you believe that social
> or cultural laws, norms, or habits exist? For example, people
> in the US drive on the right side of the road, and people in
> the UK drive on the left. That convention began as a habit that
> became a social norm long before it became a traffic law. It is
> so real that a failure to observe it can lead to death. Does that
> law, norm, or habit have a real existence? (04)
MW: This is about social construction. The rules are still classes of
activity, but there is a social agreement about what they apply to. (05)
Regards (06)
Matthew West
Information Junction
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