<< > Knowledge and truth are two very different issues. Indeed we cannot be
> sure that anything is true
Keithp: Even that statement?
Pimv: Even your question. >>
Certainty is something we hold with respect to propostions not questions, Mr
van Meurs. Example:
Question: "Did you get your car washed today?"
Response: "Are you sure about that?"
It just doesn't make sense as you may have noted.
Why try to sidestep the point made?
Keithp: The picture that came to mind when I read these words was that of
driving around aimlessly with no destination in mind, being asked by my
passenger "Where are we going?", and replying confidently, "I haven't the
slightest idea but I know I'm pretty darn close!"
Pimv: Strange things do happen.
Pardon me, Mr van Meurs, but do you keep sidestepping because you think
it is harder to hit a moving target? This was a excellent point Mr Plummer
made
and I suspect, because of that, you gave an evasive response that failed by
design
to address the point made.
Having read, with great interest, the posts between Mr Plummer and Mr van
Meurs
I have to question why you make statements such as accusing Mr Plummer of
creating a strawman. I believe, Mr van Meurs, that it is incumbent upon you
to
retract that assertion because there was no strawman there. It is clear
that
Mr Plummer is more than capable of presenting his argument without the
sophistic
aid of strawmen and dancing about the points. Every one of his posts has
shown this in glaringly obvious fashion. I would challenge you to present
evidence to the contrary.
I also note that you have claimed that Mr Plummer seemed to be or was
struggling with definitions. You are the one who *appears* to be struggling,
Mr van Meurs, in the shifting sands of your chameleonesque dictionary.
Wittgenstein said that after a certain point one can't reason with a person
who does not use the same language you do. Mr Plummer has repeatedly tried to
get you to define your terms. That is a legitimate request and not one to be
disdained.
I believe it is time that assertions begin to be supported, accusations be
held under
scrutiny and that questions be answered directly in this debate. Let us
undertake the pursuit of truth at all cost.
Annie Holloway