Tim Maudlin - What Exists?

Lots of things exist. But what is so absolutely fundamental in that it cannot be further reduced into anything more fundamental, but other things that exist can be reduced to it? The challenge is to discern the minimum number of basic categories that can explain the entirety of existence.



Tim Maudlin is a philosopher of science and a Professor of Philosophy at New York University.


Closer to Truth presents the world’s greatest thinkers exploring humanity’s deepest questions. Discover fundamental issues of existence. Engage new and diverse ways of thinking. Appreciate intense debates. Share your own opinions. Seek your own answers.

[ArtVandelayLTEX]

RLK must own 95% of the worlds turtlenecks

[edwardradion]

Awesome vibes, even better conversation

[vinm]

He never avoids a question - Tim Maudlin
Some interviewees avoid committing themselves

[Rippinsteo]

Without the presence of energy--something that moves, or is in motion--there is no space nor time. Without energy, spacetime is undefined. The most fundamental question is, what is it that moves--what is it that manifests energy?

[mikedziuba]

I don't think it's possible to know for sure whether known particles and fields can be further reduced into even smaller and more fundamental parts or not. Because there is no theory that can tell you this for sure. Theories need to be confirmed by experiments. And people are limited in the kind of experiments they can do.

Perhaps the rules of the Universe are fundamental, but its forms and particles are not. Because the rules of mathematics and geometry remain the same, but the Universe changes and evolves from one state to another over time. That which remains the same is fundamental, and that which changes is not.

[BoManton]

I love the mustache. hate the blurry start

[videosbymathew]

Technically everything is discoverable, nothing is 'just invented'. If it can be made or crafted, that was part of the universe's 'allowances'. It just 'is'. Another way to look at it, if a species on a completely separate planet 'invents' the same thing as we do here on Earth, then it should be at least first classified as 'discovered'. This holds true from everything electronic to the finest pieces of art.

[djjfive]

The only thing we can be reasonably sure of existing is consciousness. Potentially, everything else is only perceived through this.

[albertjackson]

No, you are all wrong, "what" does not exist. "What" never existed. End of story.

[theaviary]

Smash that like button like you are a particle collider.

[bozo]

Was Ford's Model T discovered or invented?

[somethingyousaid]

I do. But then that's my problem, not yours.

[JohnVKaravitis]

Do you think there are ever days when Tim lives up to his name?

[TheUltimateSeeds]

Anything that resides on the opposite side of absolute and utter nothingness, "exists" in some context or another (be it objective or subjective, immanent or transcendent, local or non-local, or any other imaginable [or unimaginable] state of being).

[booJay]

I used to think we discovered mathematics too, until I listened to a mathematician like Edward Frenkel. Now I'm not so sure. Remember that mathematics is built on axioms which are assumed to be true, but can't be proven. We assume that 2 + 2 = 4 because c'mon, that HAS to be true. Right?

Note: I'm not saying 2 + 2 = 4 is an axiom, but there are actual examples that illustrate this point better, which I can't think of off the top of my head.

[Bill..N]

Tim is a refreshing pleasure to listen to.. He's right on about math.. The only difference in our opinions is that EVERYTHING is derivative of the wave function and exists within it.., INCLUDING space-time.. Drop the mic and walk off Tim, you did great!

[eddiemorris]

I think george ellis had the best answer for me, in a early episode on here.

[tsvetansirmanov]

Here is the answer :

THIS WORLD HAS BEEN CREATED BY AN INTELLIGENT AND ALMIGHTY BEING, GOD.
The Solar system, this magnificent planet Earth, every plant, animal and
human has a well-considered / thoughtful structure. That means an
Intelligent Being created them all, not blind nature. For the building
particles - atoms and molecules COULD NOT organize themselves in such
a way to cause a rose to form, or a deer, or a girl - with all the
complex organs and systems they have. Even for 100 billion years!
Therefore, a Creator, a Designer, an Architect really exists. There
is no other way.
(Evolution is NOT confirmed by the fossils)(Radiocarbon dating is NOT reliable. Just a few facts: A thin layer of cosmic dust on Earth and the Moon, little argon and helium in the Earth's atmosphere, little clay, salts, sand, metals in the world's oceans, the Moon's core in liquid form, volcanoes on Jupiter's satellites, short-lived comets still exist, on Earth - mountains, despite erosion - all these facts indicate that the Earth, the Moon, the Solar system - are young.)
(Cosmic panspermia JUST SHIFT the problem).

THE WORLD CREATOR SPEAKS TO THE PEOPLE AND ACTS.
Information about His words and deeds has been collected in the Bible.
Predictions of important events many centuries before they happen
prove this book comes from God. No one else could know the world
history in advance.

THE MOST IMPORTANT MESSAGE IN ALL TIMES.
God, the Creator of all things, guarantees (in the Bible) complete
forgiveness of the sins and eternal life to everyone who (first)
repents, rejects lies, thievery, murder, lechery as well as everything
that is wrong, (second) believes in Jesus Christ and confesses him as
a Lord and Savior. 2000 years ago, Christ came to Judea according to
the plan of God to accept upon himself the punishement we deserve for
our sins. Even though not guilty, Jesus was beaten, insulted and
killed on the cross - to pay our debt to God. Three days later he rose
from the dead and all power in heaven and on earth was given to him.

Everyone who accepts these terms of God must be baptized and take part
in Eucharist with Christians. When the determined time comes such a
person (no matter alive or asleep in death) will be given a new body
not subject to disease and death any more.
All authority of God stands behind this promise!

Put all your problems in prayer in the name of Christ and soon you
will realize that He is a real person. And a very good friend !

Christ will return to Еarth to judge the people. A lot of signs
indicate the event will be soon.

Note: Fortune-tellers, astrologers, magicians, soothsayers/spiritists,
"aliens" (masked demons, evil spirits) and similar to them have nothing in common with God and Christ. On the contrary - they are servants of Satan whose purpose is to deceive and
ruin. Be on your guard !

[dougg]

If they would smoke the kind of quality weed I smoked last night, they would have original ideas:)

[plainjane]

"2+2=4, there's only one right answer"... and yet, in modular arithmetic - mod 3, for example: 2+2=1. So there is absolutely not "only one right answer", even for this simple formulation. We choose the operations that can be used with numbers. I don't know whether math is discovered or invented, but that 2+2=4 example always irks me, since it is so easily refuted.