General Replicator Theory

No Magic Axiom

Kevin Aylward B.Sc.


Index

Definitions

Overview

This paper identifies a key axiom that is required for many of the extended results of the basic Darwinian Theory.

The principle use of the "no magic" axiom is to reduce explanations of emotions and consciousness to the laws of physics.

4th Axiom/Postulate

4th - All physical phenomena is explainable by the physics of mass-energy.

This axiom states that there is no supernatural, or otherwise outside of physics effects required in order to explain any physical observation. It directly prohibits concepts such as god or souls being involved in any aspect of human behavior, other than that associated with "belief" in such entities.

The justification for this axiom is simply whether or not any observation is found to be explainable without introducing such external to physics entities. If observations cannot be explained within the constraints of the axiom, that that axiom must be rejected. To the authors knowledge, no phenomena requires such a suspension of this axiom.

A typically application of the axiom is illustrated here:

We first identify another axiom/postulate. This postulate is not provable, and simply taking as being true, based on the evidence.

1) Consciousness exists.

Axiom 4, tells us that, whatever consciousness is, any physical actions attributed to it,  is something that is explainable by mass-energy physics. Specifically, in light of known brain construction, axiom 4 tells us that consciences awareness, and subsequently emotions, must be the sole result of the electro-chemical processes of the brain and or body. That is, there is no external soul or ethereal type, non physical process that causes awareness.

Of course, the 4th axiom may be false, in which case there may be such souls. However, to date, there is no hard evidence that such a condition exists. All observed behaviour can apparently, be explained by reference to mass-energy processes.


These papers may be freely copied only for non commercial use,

provided full credit is given to the author.

© Kevin Aylward 2004 - all rights reserved