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Dialogue and Universalism

Volume 18, Issue 9/10, 2008
Time, Eternity, Infinity

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Displaying: 1-20 of 24 documents


time, eternity, infinity
1. Dialogue and Universalism: Volume > 18 > Issue: 9/10
Jerzy A. Janik Science—Religion—History. The Twelfth Seminar
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2. Dialogue and Universalism: Volume > 18 > Issue: 9/10
Jerzy A. Janik Flashes of Existence and Flashes of Time
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3. Dialogue and Universalism: Volume > 18 > Issue: 9/10
Józef Życiński, Alicja Baczyńska Mitochondrial Eve or Eve, the First Mother? Original Sin from the Perspective of Evolutionary Anthropology
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Discussions on original sin conduced over the last 50 years yield the conclusion that the second half of the 20th century brought about the most far-reaching changes in the perception of original sin since the times of St. Augustine. In spite of these profound changes, the matter in question continues to give rise to controversies. Thus, Alfred Vanneste considers the omission of monogenism in the Catechism of the Catholic Church 2 to be a gross oversight on the part of the drafting committee. During deliberations on the transformations of modern culture, an issue may arise, which implied that the notion of human nature encumbered with the weakness of original sin is one of the truths of highest empirical confirmation. It should be noted, however, that an immense diversity of standpoints In expressing his truth exist.
4. Dialogue and Universalism: Volume > 18 > Issue: 9/10
Antonina Kowalska Quantities Enduring in Time: On Quantities in Time
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Despite changeability of the world, the human mind also ponders on those quantities that remain constant over time. This was the case in ancient times, in the middle ages, and the same applies in modern physics. This paper discusses i.a. Zenon paradoxes, the principle of inertia, and the Emma Noether theorem, ending with the modern, so-called Zeno’s quantum effect. The foot-notes concern the ancient “Achilles” paradox, spot speed, as well as some of the facts taken out of the life-history of Emma Noether, as well as the example of applying her theorem.
5. Dialogue and Universalism: Volume > 18 > Issue: 9/10
Zbigniew Jacyna-Onyszkiewicz Physics of Time
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Certain aspects of time physics were considered within the framework of quantum cosmology of the closed universe. Based on the general relativity we know that total energy of the closed universe is precisely equal to zero. This fact allows interpreting the creation of the closed universe as a spontaneous, causeless occurrence of respective quantum fluctuation, without any energy input. However, in such a universe the unitary evolution is “frozen”—no changes may occur, i.e. the universal cosmic time, which numbers the changes in the state of the universe, cannot exist. This conclusion is obviously contrary to the experiment. For this reason the changes observed in the closed universe may be generated solely by non-unitary, irreversible and jumpwise evolution, associated with quantum measurement, which cannot be caused by any element of reality liable to linear laws of quantum theory. Therefore, quantum cosmology does not generate a closed thinking system. In consequence, this leads to an ontology called objective idealism.
6. Dialogue and Universalism: Volume > 18 > Issue: 9/10
Henryk Arodź, Maria Massalska-Arodź Physics of Time
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Our article is an overview of a selection of findings in physics relating to the issue of time—we do not present in it any “time theory” of our own. After making some general remarks on the issue of time, we present historical outline and a brief description of the current state of time interval measurements. Subsequently, we go on to discuss certain (relating to the concept of time) consequences of both theories of relativity: special and general. Here, time is a geometrical component of space-time continuum. Following section is dedicated to time in the so-called Hamiltonian formulations of the theory of particles, where it appears as a parameter of evolution. The last section contains remarks referring to certain attempts of going beyond the recognized physical theories relating to the question of time.
physics and time
7. Dialogue and Universalism: Volume > 18 > Issue: 9/10
Andrzej Fuliński Time and Related Problems
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The time of mechanics is the eternal and unchangeable time of Parmenides, it is Plato’s idea of time, whereas the time of thermodynamics is Heraclitus’ flowing time, Thomas Aquinas’ time measured by various phenomena. I once wrote [2] that people who are not used to a physicist’s way of thinking are (at best) confused by the idea of a symmetrical time of mechanics. Physicists on the other hand often believe that the time of thermodynamics (irreversibility) does not really exist, and is merely an illusion. It seems therefore that both of these aspects of time, the time of mechanics and the time of thermodynamics, should be treated as complementary, in anticipation of a future “theory of everything” which will somehow reconcile them.
8. Dialogue and Universalism: Volume > 18 > Issue: 9/10
Michał Heller Infinity in Cosmology
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The issue of infinity appeared in cosmology in the form of a question on spatial and time finiteness or infinity of the universe. Recently, more and more talking is going on about “other universes” (different ones from “our”), the number of which may be infinite. Speculations on this topic emerged in effect of the discussions on the issue of the anthropic principle, and the so-called inflation scenario. In truth, this kind of speculations are hardly recognized as scientific theories, however, they may be included in a sort of “scientific fringe” fulfilling a beneficial heuristic function.All of the speculations regarding numerous universes boil down to the juggling of probabilities, i.e. to the applying of the theory of probability to the universes’ set. However, without probabilistic measure being introduced onto this “set” (as it is not known whether it is a set in a technical sense of this term)—and there is no knowledge at all as to how to do this—such considerations may not go beyond a vague intuition.The producing of other universes usually results from an assumption that the disturbing of original circumstances, of values of physical constants, or of other parameters characterizing the universe is possible. On the other hand, the idea of the final theory seems to assume that the mathematical structure of this theory should be rigid, i.e. that the disturbing of its parameters leads on to the very same structure. This would have eliminated the possibility of the existence of other universes.The idea of infinite number of universes sometimes has an anti-theological undertone: there is no need for assuming purposeful acting of the Creator, since all possibilities are fulfilled. The reaction of a theologian may be as follows: Just the same, God may create just a single universe, as much as an infinite number of universes. What’s more, one may risk saying that God is not interested in nothing that may be short of infinity.
9. Dialogue and Universalism: Volume > 18 > Issue: 9/10
Andrzej Schinzel The Infinity in Mathematics
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I shall outline the topic from a historical perspective, placing the main emphasis on the hundred years’ period spanning 1870–1970.
10. Dialogue and Universalism: Volume > 18 > Issue: 9/10
Władysław Stróżowski Roman Ingarden’s Philosophy of Time
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In his classic essay Man and Time, Roman Ingarden outlines two contradictory experiences of time. The paper presents and investigates them.
11. Dialogue and Universalism: Volume > 18 > Issue: 9/10
Jan M. Małecki, Andrzej Tomczak, Łukasz Dercz A Couple of Remarks about Time in Historical Research, and about a Historian’s Responsibility
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The paper consists of two parts, outlined in the title.I. In the historical science time appears as an element of the historian’s workshop. The historian collects source information, evaluates them and assigns respective dates. Only on the ground of thus “processed” sources may he reproduce the past: events and longer development processes, setting them in time. This dated time is understood colloquially as something objective, which runs one way and may be measured.II. A historian who studies the past reality depends on the extent to which those sources are preserved. As a result of their interpretation, with the use of increasingly excellent research methods, he reproduces that reality. He must carry out an ongoing selection of historical facts found. This exposes him to temptations of such selection of those facts so as to adjust the historical knowledge to serve well the national interests, his own political opinions, etc. In this way the historian exerts influence on social awareness, which may consists of various myths and stereotypes, which sometimes lead to negative social behaviors: aggression, chauvinism, etc. Therefore, for researcher honesty’s sake and in the sense of moral responsibility, he must be careful to be as impartial as possible in his work.
discussions
12. Dialogue and Universalism: Volume > 18 > Issue: 9/10
Józef Życiński Discussion following Józef Życiński’s lecture
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13. Dialogue and Universalism: Volume > 18 > Issue: 9/10
Antonina Kowalska The discussion following Antonina Kowalska’s lecture
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14. Dialogue and Universalism: Volume > 18 > Issue: 9/10
Zbigniew Jacyna-Onyszkiewicz Discussion Following the Lecture by Zbigniew Jacyna-Onyszkiewicz
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15. Dialogue and Universalism: Volume > 18 > Issue: 9/10
Henryk Arodź, Maria Massalska-Arodź Discussion Following the Lecture by Henryk Arodź and Maria Massalska-Arodź
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16. Dialogue and Universalism: Volume > 18 > Issue: 9/10
Michał Heller Discussion Following Michał Heller’s Lecture
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17. Dialogue and Universalism: Volume > 18 > Issue: 9/10
Andrzej Schnizel Discussion Following Andrzej Schnizel’s Lecture
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18. Dialogue and Universalism: Volume > 18 > Issue: 9/10
Władysław Stróżewski Discussion after Władysław Stróżewski’s Lecture
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19. Dialogue and Universalism: Volume > 18 > Issue: 9/10
Jan Małecki, Andrzej Tomczak Discussion Following the Lecture by Jan Małecki and Andrzej Tomczak
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20. Dialogue and Universalism: Volume > 18 > Issue: 9/10
Holy Father’s Speech
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