[r9etb]

Actually, "A is A" is almost a circular argument because it does not require you define either. Because the very point is that "this thing" is "this thing".

It's all very well to say this -- in the abstract it sounds logical. But try actually applying it to something. Then you're forced right away to begin making assumptions about what A is; and whether A right now, is the same as A, ten minutes ago; or whether A is the only possible "thing" in the context of what you're talking about (which is where objectivism leaves the tracks).

In other words, all you can really say for sure is that "A is A ... at this instant."

Now, in some cases it's rather easy to accept the claim -- that 1=1, for example.

However, see Godel's Incompleteness Theorem.

[Dominic Harr]

In other words, all you can really say for sure is that "A is A ... at this instant."

Oh, my gosh -- that is exactly what "A == A" means!!!

You didn't know that, and write offhandedly that this is *all* we can say? That's what everyone has spent hundreds of posts trying to explain to you!!!

I believe the general is not this dense, he's just arguing for the joy of making words.

You, on the other hand . . .

I am done with this conversation, I'm afraid. Off to a movie, then dinner with the wife.

Have a nice day.