I’ve been thinking about natural and synthetic things and I’m having trouble with the synthetic part. To say something is synthetic means it’s not natural. Take MDMA for example. MDMA is a synthetic chemical. Is MDMA synthetic to Earth or to the whole universe? On Earth, we’ve yet to find MDMA in nature, but that doesn’t mean it’s not here or can’t be here. If we were to expand to the whole universe, we have to assume every possibility is possible. If we assume this, it means MDMA could be found in nature. Just because it’s not on Earth, doesn’t mean it’s not elsewhere in the vast universe. Since we don’t know the conditions of every galaxy, we don’t know what these conditions could create. It is possible MDMA exists in a plant somewhere. It is possible it doesn’t.

I believe the universe is a simulation and the creator knew of every possibility. If we’re in a simulation and every possibility is possible that means every possibility could occur, which means it will occur or has already occurred. So, to me, this means, MDMA is either, not formed in a plant yet, but will be, or is already found in a plant. If you let time run its course, it is possible, MDMA will be formed within nature.

If there is any flaw in this logic, please point it out.

MDMA is only partially synthetic. Typically, the vast majority of the molecule comes ready-built from a variety of plant sources.

So there's a twist for you.

is a bird building a bird nest unnatural?

what makes a human building a molecule unnatural?

I think it is something wrong with this



Imho...that something is synthetic means that it was synthesized. Nothing more, nothing less.

And personally I believe that nothing "unnatural" can exist. How should it? Aren't humans part of nature? How can nature form things that aren't natural?

Thought provoking. "I believe the universe is a simulation". What does that mean? Simulation of what? Simulation implies imitation.

Morphic Resonance theory, Rupert Sheldrake. The observation that events or phenomenon in nature, once established, even a single time, are much more likely to recur than if they had not happened prior. It is as if a template is created then persists. Could it be that this is a trans-universal phenom?

Peace

Your words are synthetic. Your concepts are synthetic. Your "creator" is synthetic. Your self-image is synthetic.

Your beliefs are at best a simulation of the universe, but may actually in part be nothing more than a delusion. You'll never know for sure, but the only way is to keep trying.

I would say synthetic only means "synthesized by man". You can have synthetic mescaline, for example, even though the molecule occurs naturally (even though it's actually synthesized by a plant).

Some people write off synthetic drugs in a kind of naturalistic approach (good drugs come from nature, bad drugs are created) which I believe is a fallacious approach as life itself mutates and creates brand new molecules - some will be more beneficial than others, allowing for enhanced defence, survival and thriving of an organism.

I remember protesting in elementary school when teacher wanted us to understand the "natural" vs "artificial" dichotomy as if artificial is not natural. It's not mutually exclusive.



Exactly