Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul C. Anagnostopoulos  Agreed. Of course, to state the theorem we need to know the output beforehand.
Assuming no truly random inputs, then the input/P/output is a mathematical fact, yes.
If we know the output beforehand, and all we want to do is check the theorem, then yes.
In the execution of the program.
~~ Paul |
Great - I think at last we are talking on the same wavelength!
Is the question as to whether the theorem is known beforehand very important? If it is, how does that alter the status of the re-run of the computer simulation of 30 mins of pain - when the outcome is already known?
So only the execution of the program can actually experience the pain - but how do you show that? What about computers made of clockwork, or even bureaucratic computers (run by people) - do they feel pain? Why exactly does a gadget running through all the steps that prove the 'pain theorem' cause that pain to be felt?
Of the various issues you have raised, which are vital to the question of whether the 30 mins of pain is actually endured?
David