Simon Coghlan tells us, with help from Derek Parfit.
http://philosophynow.org/issues/102/Wha ... uld_Happen
What’s The Worst That Could Happen?
Re: What’s The Worst That Could Happen?
Dr. Coghlan devotes a great deal of time, and ~2800 words, to arrive - in the first sentence of his article's final paragraph - at the following remarkable conclusion; "..., let’s stick with the claim that the Earth, even without sentient life, is a wondrous and marvellous(sp) thing."
I have a question: If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound?
Then, there's the ever popular tale of the monks:
"Two monks were arguing about the temple flag waving in the wind. One said, "The flag moves." The other said, "The wind moves." They argued back and forth but could not agree. The Sixth Ancestor said, "Gentlemen! It is not the wind that moves; it is not the flag that moves; it is your mind that moves." The two monks were struck with awe."
The Earth is not "wondrous" or "marvelous" Dr. Coghlan. These adjectives exist only in our minds.
I have a question: If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound?
Then, there's the ever popular tale of the monks:
"Two monks were arguing about the temple flag waving in the wind. One said, "The flag moves." The other said, "The wind moves." They argued back and forth but could not agree. The Sixth Ancestor said, "Gentlemen! It is not the wind that moves; it is not the flag that moves; it is your mind that moves." The two monks were struck with awe."
The Earth is not "wondrous" or "marvelous" Dr. Coghlan. These adjectives exist only in our minds.