Hello.

Do you think that it is possible to prove that the sun will rise tomorrow? If so, prove it!

The reason I ask this is because about a week or two ago I started reading David Hume (as some of you already know) and he says that saying that the sun will rise tomorrow is a 'matter of fact.' That is, we say it will because of experience - it has risen every day before this and we assume it will rise tomorrow.

I believe that we CAN prove that the sun will rise tomorrow, by using the same system to prove geometric proofs - like the Pythagoream Theorem.

Geometric proofs rely on definitions (like the definition of a point, or of a line) and postulates (axioms) assumed to be true. They are used in this manner: If these postulates are true, then this MUST be true.

I will attempt to prove that the sun WILL rise tomorrow IF some postulates (which I will have to come up with) are true.

Would any of you care to try your hand at it, too? I am looking for a formal logical deductive argument.

It's just a little thought for fun, and I thought I might as well get your ideas as well, since I think that many of you could use a break from your normal debates :-p

• Forgive the attempt at levity please / Set a standard of proof - carefuluniverse - February 6, 2002 - 02:32 UTC
  • Math/physics proof - yanniru - February 6, 2002 - 15:21 UTC
    • Ahhh, but - - bladesinger - February 6, 2002 - 16:22 UTC
      • Proof from data analysis - yanniru - February 7, 2002 - 14:42 UTC
        • That's one down - bladesinger - February 7, 2002 - 21:42 UTC
          • Yes - yanniru - February 7, 2002 - 21:58 UTC
            • Okay, now what about... - bladesinger - February 7, 2002 - 22:51 UTC
              • I want to go back in the high IQ group again...please? - something - February 8, 2002 - 04:31 UTC
                • Premises are given - yanniru - February 8, 2002 - 14:35 UTC
                  • Yup - bladesinger - February 12, 2002 - 02:17 UTC
                    • Depends on your definition of proof - yanniru - February 12, 2002 - 14:54 UTC
                • Gee. How am I supposed to take that? - bladesinger - February 12, 2002 - 02:13 UTC
                  • Yes maybe - something - February 13, 2002 - 05:33 UTC
                    • Whatever. - bladesinger - February 13, 2002 - 18:03 UTC
              • There's plenty of possible events - harvey1 - February 9, 2002 - 00:51 UTC
    • May we assume Newton's religion is now yours - something - February 7, 2002 - 06:04 UTC
      • Yes - yanniru - February 7, 2002 - 22:00 UTC
        • Why? - bladesinger - February 7, 2002 - 22:52 UTC
          • It's full of the unknown and the unproven - yanniru - February 9, 2002 - 14:28 UTC
        • In regard to that ( very fine mush) - something - February 8, 2002 - 20:50 UTC
          • Like objects tend to war against each other - yanniru - February 9, 2002 - 14:44 UTC
• Does the Moon rests while the Sun is awake on patrol. - jisbond - February 7, 2002 - 02:11 UTC
• Sun rise tommorrow? - dolphin - February 8, 2002 - 09:07 UTC
• "The sun will rise tomorrow" means nothing. - luis_hamburgh - February 9, 2002 - 16:32 UTC
  • Anyone join me at www.math.net chat room right now! - quiet - February 10, 2002 - 02:00 UTC
  • Will tommorrow rise tommorrow? - dolphin - February 10, 2002 - 05:59 UTC