- Anything Else -

Deconstructing Squares.

In Reply to: Right here, next to my heart. posted by Farinata on February 15, 19100 at 18:40:20:

: There could be a five-sided square. I've never seen one; and according to my understanding they don't exist; but I'm not the ultimate authority. Sorry, Stuart, I thought I'd made myself pretty clear there.

: I can never say 'there are no five-sided squares' without invoking synthetic a priori assumptions or definitions (i.e. what the definition of a 'square' is.)

Good grief Farinata, sometimes I think you scientists deconstruct too much for your own good! What is the definition of a square? A rectangle with all four sides equal. Who created this definition? People did! There can be no five-sided squares yet undiscovered because by man-made definition they would no longer be squares! Could there be semolina spaghetti made from spam? Could there be a toaster which makes bread soggy, not crisp? Allow humanity the luxury of defining things and abiding by those definitions; it's one thing to be a skeptic, but quite another to be a naysayer for the sake of naying itself. ("Naying." (v) To say nay).

Follow Ups:

• Deconstructing everything in an extremely picky fashion. Farinata L'inferno February 16 19100 (10)
  • By the way, Farinata (oh lord, please let this one work!) MDG February 17 19100 (0)
  • By the way, Farinata (read this one) MDG February 17 19100 (0)
  • By the way, Farinata (read this one) MDG February 17 19100 (0)
  • By the way, Farinata MDG February 17 19100 (0)
  • And I thought lawyers were bad... MDG February 17 19100 (5)
    • Ever seen a square? Farinata L'inferno February 21 19100 (4)
      • Depends on what the definition of the word 'is' is. Stuart Gort USA February 22 19100 (3)
        • Stuart gives up and retreats into his blind faith muttering about 'logic' and 'reason'... Farinata L'inferno February 22 19100 (2)
          • I lose because I didn't fall for your distractions? Stuart Gort USA February 24 19100 (1)
            • You lost because you don't have a valid or consistent response. Farinata L'inferno February 24 19100 (0)