Quote:
Originally Posted by CraigS
Chaos theory tells us that even if the exact same initial conditions occur elsewhere, the outcome will not necessarily be the same.
Further, unless we know the exact initial conditions under which life emerged here, we can never predict the outcome, elsewhere.
These are mathematical certainties.
Cheers
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How can you have a mathematical certainty when the underlying mathematics itself is completely uncertain. That's a contradiction in terms.
Actually, it's a complete invalidation of the underlying mathematics. Or maybe, more accurately, we just don't understand it to begin with.
To be truthful, all things being equal and chaos being the operative norm, then why are we even here ourselves??. By all accounts, this universe should be utterly devoid of life...all universes should be. Yet here we are. The fact that we are here, which is a 100% probability, points to a flaw in the underlying assumptions of Chaos. Chaos might tell you that despite the initial conditions you cannot know the outcomes after the fact or that they might or mightn't be the same, the laws of probability would point to the fact that given all the possible outcomes and an infinite amount of time, the most likely outcome is the one in which you find yourself in.
Another example of the uncertainty principle and the relative state formulation. Despite the odds against it, if it exists, then so it does. And all the other possibilities exist as well, but we only see that one possibility in which we make the observation of its truth or physical reality.
So, if the chances of life are good here, all things being equal, it will be elsewhere. And even if all things aren't equal, that still doesn't preclude any chance. Just means we maybe looking for a long time before we find any.
Here's something interesting to ponder. Let's just say we are it, in this Universe. However, we know that there are many parallel universe branching off this one. What if, in any one universe, there is only one instance of life, or at least one instance of technologically capable intelligent life. Given the number of possible universes, there'll be an infinite number of technological civilisations, or even an infinite number of life bearing planets. How's that for lateral thinking
Or, if we believe Chaos to the letter, there shouldn't be any. Then, what in the hell are we??!!!.