Re: virus: Memetic Engineering

sodom (Sodom@ma.ultranet.com)
Wed, 05 Aug 1998 17:38:22 -0400


Ken, what if the word "animals" is defined differently in each sentence?
Perhaps we are biologicaly animals, but are not "Animals" in the sense that we
use manners at the difnner table? Thats why context and interpretation leave
the phrase open.

However, I agree, that if using logic rules, the sentence cannot be true.

Sodom
Bill Roh

Ken Kittlitz wrote:

> At 08:47 AM 8/5/98 -0600, you wrote:
>
> >As for mutually exclusive memes, isn't possible that both these statements
> >may be true?
> >
> >Humans are animals.
> >Humans are not animals.
> >
> >Doesn't it depend on context and interpretation?
>
> Good question... I'm not sure both can be true in the same context. For
> example, if you believe the first statement, I don't think you can believe
> the second one. Or at least, *I* couldn't. I mght be able to say that
> humans are "special" animals, or that they have capabilities beyond those
> of most other animals, but offhand I can't think of a situation in which I
> would say that humans aren't animals. Can you think of a context in which
> both statements are true?
> ------
> Ken Kittlitz ken@audesi.com
> AudeSi Technologies Inc. http://www.lucifer.com/~ken
> http://www.audesi.com