One solution is that a situation is not a “thing” to which the conditions apply. Physical objects as opposed to concepts.

The issue with concepts, as npts2020 alludes, is that we can imagine impossible things. Another issue is these concepts being too vaguely defined, leaving way too much wiggle room.

Re: "Nothing":

Let "S" be a statement.

If S is true for zero seconds, S is never true.

If S is never true, S is true for zero seconds.¹

***

Let us consider the following statement:

S1. All things are absent.

***

If S1 is true for zero seconds, S1 is never true.^2,3 S1 is true for zero seconds.^4,5 Therefore, S1 is never true.^6,7

We conclude the following: It is never the case that "all things are absent."⁸

***

Notes:

1. A necessary condition for a statement to be true is the following: The statement must be true for a duration greater than zero seconds.

2. Suppose S1 is true. Then it is true for a duration greater than zero.

3. Suppose S1 is true for a positive duration. Then S1 is true.

4. S1 cannot be true for a duration greater than zero seconds.

5. If S1 is true for a positive duration, time flow occurs. If time flow occurs, time exists. If time exists, the statement "all things are absent" is false. If the statement "all things are absent" is false, S1 is false. Therefore, if S1 is true for a positive duration, S1 is false! [Contradiction!])

6. The premise "S1 is true" leads to a contradiction. (It leads to the conclusion that "S1 is false.")

7. If S1 is true, S1 is true for a positive duration. If S1 is true for a positive duration, S1 is false. Therefore, if S1 is true, S1 is false! (Contradiction!)

8. It is not possible for S1 to be true.

***

Re: "Nothing":

Let "S" be a statement.

If S is false for zero seconds, S is never false.

If S is never false, S is false for zero seconds.¹

***

Let us consider the following statement:

S2. A thing exists.

***

If S2 is false for zero seconds, S2 is never false.^2,3 S2 is false for zero seconds.^4,5 Therefore, S2 is never false.^6,7

We conclude the following: It is never the case that "no thing exists."⁸

***

Notes:

1. A necessary condition for a statement to be false is the following: The statement must be false for a duration greater than zero seconds.

2. Suppose S2 is false. Then it is false for a duration greater than zero.

3. Suppose S2 is false for a positive duration. Then S2 is false.

4. S2 cannot be false for a duration greater than zero seconds.

5. If S2 is false for a positive duration, time flow occurs. If time flow occurs, time exists. If time exists, the statement "a thing exists" is true. If the statement "a thing exists" is true, S2 is true. Therefore, if S2 is false for a positive duration, S2 is true! [Contradiction!])

6. The premise "S2 is false" leads to a contradiction. (It leads to the conclusion that "S2 is true.")

7. If S2 is false, S2 is false for a positive duration. If S2 is false for a positive duration, S2 is true. Therefore, if S2 is false, S2 is true! (Contradiction!)

8. It is not possible for S2 to be false.

***

Let us consider the following statements:

A. Time flow does not occur.

B. A is true.

C. A is true for a positive duration.

D. Time flow occurs.

E. Statement A can never be true.

***

I claim that statement E is true.

***

Proof:

If A is true, B is true.¹ If B is true, C is true^.2 If C is true, D is true.³ If D is true, A is false.⁴ Therefore, if A is true, A is false! (Contradiction!)⁵

Clearly, A can never be true.⁶

Since A can never be true, it follows that E is true.

***

Notes:

1. Suppose time flow does not occur. Then the statement "time flow does not occur" is true.

2. If A is true, it is true for a positive duration.

3. If A is true for a positive duration, time flow occurs.

4. Suppose time flow occurs. Then the statement "time flow does not occur" is false.

5. The premise "A is true" leads to a contradiction. (It leads to the conclusion that "A is false.")

6. It is not possible for A to be true.

***

Three statements:

A. Time flow does not occur.¹

B. Time flow occurs.²

C. Consciousness exists.

***

If statement B is true, C is true.³ B is true. Therefore, C is true.

***

If statement B is always true, C is always true. B is always true.^4,5,6,7 Therefore, C is always true.^8,9

***

Notes:

1. The premise "A is true" leads to a contradiction. (It leads to the conclusion that "A is false.")

2. The premise "B is true" does not lead to a contradiction. (It does not lead to the conclusion that "B is false.")

3. The phenomenon we call "time flow" is consciousness-dependent. (I discuss the relationship between time flow and consciousness in my paper "Temporal Passage.")

4. The premise "B is false" leads to a contradiction. (It leads to the conclusion that "B is true.")

5. If B is false, B is false for a positive duration. If B is false for a positive duration, time flow occurs. If time flow occurs, B is true. Therefore, if B is false, B is true! (Contradiction!)

6. It is not possible for statement B to be false.

7. Time flow must occur.

8. Consciousness always exists.

9. It can never be the case that "consciousness does not exist."

***

Five messages:

I

Let us suppose the following:

- A is a statement that is true.

- B is a statement that is never true.

- D(A) is the duration over which A is true.

- D(B) is the duration over which B is true.

***

D(A) cannot equal D(B).^1,2

D(A) must be greater than D(B).³

***

Notes:

1. The "duration over which B is true" is zero seconds.

2. The "duration over which A is true" cannot be zero seconds.

3. D(A) must be greater than zero seconds.

***

II

Let us suppose the following:

- A is a statement that is false.

- B is a statement that is never false.

- D(A) is the duration over which A is false.

- D(B) is the duration over which B is false.

***

D(A) cannot equal D(B).^1,2

D(A) must be greater than D(B).³

***

Notes:

1. The "duration over which B is false" is zero seconds.

2. The "duration over which A is false" cannot be zero seconds.

3. D(A) must be greater than zero seconds.

***

III

Let us suppose the following:

- A is a statement that is true.

- B is a statement that is never true.

- D(A) is the duration over which A is true.

- D(B) is the duration over which B is true.

***

What distinguishes A from B?

D(A) is longer than D(B).

***

IV

Let us suppose the following:

- A is a statement that is false.

- B is a statement that is never false.

- D(A) is the duration over which A is false.

- D(B) is the duration over which B is false.

***

What distinguishes A from B?

D(A) is longer than D(B).

***

V

Let "S" be a statement.

If S has been true for zero seconds, S has never been true.

If S has never been true, S has been true for zero seconds.

If S has been false for zero seconds, S has never been false.

If S has never been false, S has been false for zero seconds.

Adhanom Andemicael

Whaaaaaat ????

Philosophical assertions, that are solely based in one's head and not on observational evidence, typically only make sense to the person asserting such absurdities ...