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To: LogicWings
No my mistake was assuming I was conversing with an educated person who understood the rules of logic and what the Fallacy "Can't Prove a Negative" actually refers to. Clearly I am not conversing with such a person.

Well, you're wrong. And arrogant, too. Not a happy combination.

One doesn't prove it "does not exist" which is why the Burden of Proof in logic and science is upon the person making the Assertion.

Fine. Then prove the statement "you can't prove a negative."

If you can prove this statement, then you will have proved a negative, and thus invalidated your original claim. If you cannot prove your statement, then it is logically meaningless, and we need not be bound by it.

I'll be interested to see your proof.

763 posted on 11/13/2005 7:02:51 PM PST by r9etb
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To: r9etb
Well, you're wrong. And arrogant, too. Not a happy combination.

Sorry you're unhappy. Go cry in your beer.

If you can prove this statement, then you will have proved a negative, and thus invalidated your original claim. If you cannot prove your statement, then it is logically meaningless, and we need not be bound by it

Been there, done that, for like the upteenth time.

How can a put this that even a nitwit like you can understand?

Proving a "statement" negative and proving an "assertion about reality" negative - are two, completely different things. It is easy to prove a negative abstraction invalid by the very definition of the terms. It is not possible to prove an assertion about reality wrong because there is no evidence to prove it right or wrong, by definition.

I understand you aren't intelligent enough to understand the difference but that isn't my problem, it is YOURS!!!

While your at it, have another beer on me and cry in that too.

766 posted on 11/13/2005 9:25:48 PM PST by LogicWings
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To: r9etb
"Fine. Then prove the statement 'you can't prove a negative.'
...
I'll be interested to see your proof.
"

Can you prove the nonexistence of god?
Is very any possible proof to do that?

Or no alien life form,
or no dark matter,
or no Santa Claus ...
767 posted on 11/14/2005 5:01:44 AM PST by MHalblaub (Tell me in four more years (No, I did not vote for Kerry))
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