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I'll begin by saying I didn't take the time to read all 225+ posts, so someone might have already mentioned this, so if they did, sorry for the rerun.

Anyhow, you spoke of contradictions between good and evil. Francisco, when he said "contradictions cannot exist," spoke a true statement. However, your application of this statement is slightly off base. Good and evil are not a contradiction, at least in terms of logic and philosophy, the context in which Francisco makes this statement.

Good and evil are opposites, not a contradiction. A contradiction is when one thing has two opposite characteristics at the same time. Like, were I to say, "George W. Bush is not the President, but George W. Bush is the President." This is a contraction, because in my statement, George W. Bush is both the President and not the President. It's impossible--he is either the President or not the President--not both.

However, an opposite is simply and opposite--hot/cold, black/white, good/evil. Opposites can exist as long as they aren't being applied at the same time to the same thing.

Good and evil are opposites, not a contradiction. A contradiction is when one thing has two opposite characteristics at the same time

I realize in Dagny's world, one could not be good and evil at the same time. But in the real world, aren't there those who possess some good and some evil. In fact, don't we all? Doesn't that create a contradiction within ourselves?

"Opposites can exist as long as they aren't being applied at the same time to the same thing."

True. Something can be black and white at the same time. Think of the checkered flag at a car race. That is not a contrdiction. But something cannot be BLACK AND NOT BLACK AT THE SAME TIME. That is a contradiction and cannot logically exist.