18 May 14
Originally posted by divegeesterNo, universal truths, are by definition, universally true. You might argue that the value of pi is not a universal truth, but you cannot claim that universal truths are changeable.
Leaving aside the god element, why is the value of pi a universal truth? Aren't universal "truths" changeable in extreme cosmic circumstances.
And the value of pi possibly depends on certain axioms but not on cosmic circumstances, so it is not changeable in extreme cosmic circumstances.
If the axioms are false, then the value of pi would not change. In fact, I believe the value of pi is actually not dependent on any axioms whatsoever, but rather solely on definitions. So it may not even be a 'truth' at all, but rather a definition.
18 May 14
Originally posted by wolfgang59Why would God 'need' to change the value of pi?
Just a thought.
Surely omnipotence cannot be extended to changing universal truths?
The value of pi would automatically change if some other laws of physics were changed. It's just a ratio of two numbers. If the ratio changed due to other changes, then pi would change. I see no other reason.
18 May 14
1 edit
Originally posted by Suziannepi is defined as the ratio of a circle's circumference to it's diameter in Euclidean geometry, as such it is a mathematical object and doesn't depend particularly on the laws of physics.
Why would God 'need' to change the value of pi?
The value of pi would automatically change if some other laws of physics were changed. It's just a ratio of two numbers. If the ratio changed due to other changes, then pi would change. I see no other reason.
18 May 14
1 edit
Originally posted by DeepThoughtIf pi is, as I believe, nothing more than a direct consequence of definitions with no axioms involved, one could equally ask the question "can an omnipotent being change the value of '2' "?
pi is defined as the ratio of a circle's circumference to it's diameter in Euclidean geometry, as such it is a mathematical object and doesn't depend particularly on the laws of physics.
The question is bordering on being incoherent. What would it even mean if he changed the value of '2' to say '2.5'?
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18 May 14
Originally posted by twhiteheadthen 1 would = 1.25 so transfer that to my bank account =loads more money
If pi is, as I believe, nothing more than a direct consequence of definitions with no axioms involved, one could equally ask the question "can an omnipotent being change the value of '2' "?
The question is bordering on being incoherent. What would it even mean if he changed the value of '2' to say '2.5'?
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18 May 14
Originally posted by wolfgang59Related question: does an omniscient being know the exact numeric value of pi? (Say, in base 10.)
Just a thought.
Surely omnipotence cannot be extended to changing universal truths?
BTW, most people think of pi in its geometric sense but it is also the numeric value of a mathematical series expansion. More than one series expansion, actually.
Here's one: PI/4 = 1/1 - 1/3 + 1/5 - 1/7 + ...
or PI = 4(1/1 - 1/3 + 1/5 - 1/7 + ...)
alternating + and - and using odd integers.
http://math2.org/math/constants/pi.htm
18 May 14
Originally posted by JS357Again, I think, an incoherent question pi does not have an 'exact value' in base 10. Its an irrational number. Pi is exact, but cannot be expressed exactly in base 10.
Related question: does an omniscient being know the exact numeric value of pi? (Say, in base 10.)
18 May 14
Originally posted by twhiteheadI thought it COULD be exactly expressed in base 10 (or any base, really) so long as you use an infinite number of digits.
Again, I think, an incoherent question pi does not have an 'exact value' in base 10. Its an irrational number. Pi is exact, but cannot be expressed exactly in base 10.
18 May 14
1 edit
Originally posted by BigDoggProblemAnd that is the problem. There is no such thing as using exactly an infinite number of digits.
I thought it COULD be exactly expressed in base 10 (or any base, really) so long as you use an infinite number of digits.
Its like saying 'you could count to infinity if you counted all the integers'. Its incoherent because there is not actual number called 'infinity'.
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18 May 14
Originally posted by twhiteheadIt can be expressed exactly in base pi, in which case it is 10. Right?
Again, I think, an incoherent question pi does not have an 'exact value' in base 10. Its an irrational number. Pi is exact, but cannot be expressed exactly in base 10.
In any base, the base is expressible as 10. I think.🙄