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Originally posted by twhiteheadStill the omniscient one as always are you?
Sad that despite it being suggested to you multiple times, you still haven't bothered to look up what ad hominem actually means.
Actually I did bother to look it up.
ad hominem
ad ˈhɒmɪnɛm/
adverb & adjective
1.
(of an argument or reaction) directed against a person rather than the position they are maintaining.
The post that was quoted here has been removedEven with my feeble 'reading comprehension' and intelligence I can figure out that when you torture a child to extract valuable information AND you have fun while doing it you are not torturing the child with the sole purpose of having fun.
The real question is why you with your superior reading comprehension and intelligence can't seem to grasp that.
Originally posted by FetchmyjunkTruth is a value we associate with statements if they describe the real world sufficiently accurately. I'm left wondering what an absolute truth is. What is a non-absolute truth?
Is there such a thing as absolute truth?
There are only two possible answers to this question—yes or no. There either is absolute truth, something that is true at all times and places, or there is not. To argue with certainty that there is no such thing as absolute truth is to make an absolute truth claim, and is thus self-refuting. Therefore, the onl ...[text shortened]... t and wrong. Therefore, the natural question arises, "Upon what do we base our moral standards?"
You see, while I agree that the sentence: "There are no true sentences." is self-contradictory, I do not necessarily agree that the sentence: "There are no absolutely true sentences." is self-contradictory because I don't know what the qualifier "absolutely" is doing.
Originally posted by DeepThoughtrelative truth --supported by observation or samples as evidence.
Truth is a value we associate with statements if they describe the real world sufficiently accurately. I'm left wondering what an absolute truth is. What is a non-absolute truth?
You see, while I agree that the sentence: "There are no true sentences." is self-contradictory, I do not necessarily agree that the sentence: "There are no absolutely true sentences." is self-contradictory because I don't know what the qualifier "absolutely" is doing.
Absolute truth--an axiom, like "two points determine a straight line".
"In general, absolute truth is whatever is always valid, regardless of parameters or context. The absolute in the term connotes one or more of: a quality of truth that cannot be exceeded; complete truth; unvarying and permanent truth
Some examples:
Relative truth can be analyzed and a new truth that is more probable can be found later. Example, The tallest person is 8 ft tall, but what if there was a person yet to be found that was 9 ft tall. That is a relative truth.
Absolute truth, physical death. Example, Hey lets face the absolute fact physically all things physically die in this material world. Even the Star that powers our planet will die and there is no escape.
Originally posted by FetchmyjunkSo absolute truth = tautology. What have we learned at school today? Nothing.
relative truth --supported by observation or samples as evidence.
Absolute truth--an axiom, like "two points determine a straight line".
"In general, absolute truth is whatever is always valid, regardless of parameters or context. The absolute in the term connotes one or more of: a quality of truth that cannot be exceeded; complete truth; unvarying ...[text shortened]... ie in this material world. Even the Star that powers our planet will die and there is no escape.
Absolute truth--an axiom, like "two points determine a straight line".
Fail. For a long time it was assumed that Euclid had identified absolute truths - Kant thought so. Then a whole series of alternative, non Euclidean geometries were established and Euclid's geometry turned out to be only one of many possibilities. In fact Kant should have known this as it was aready happening among mathematicians of his day. Later in the 19th Century it was found that mathematics lacks any coherent logical foundation. That position has not really changed, despite vast efforts.
To take your example, the statement is simply a definition. It is a proposition. 'Let us assume,' it says, 'that two points determine a straight line.' It is not a statement of fact. In fact, if we accept for the moment that a "point" can be a fact and not just a hypothetical concept, there are an infinite number of possible lines to connect any two points. Two points do not determine any one straight line in particular after all: there is not enough information yet to determine a straight line. For example, is that line on a flat surface or a curved one? And do you want the shortest possible line or will any line do?
In a mosque in New York, what way should people face when praying to Mecca? Here is one answer "What you’re really doing is finding a great circle — a circle that cuts the globe in half — that passes through both Mecca and your town. From Nazareth College, this turns out to be about 50°-55° clockwise from North, or roughly Northeast (but more East than North). The north part is somewhat surprising since Mecca is south of Rochester," https://threesixty360.wordpress.com/2008/09/01/which-direction-is-mecca/
Originally posted by finneganSo absolute truth = tautology.
So absolute truth = tautology. What have we learned at school today? Nothing.Absolute truth--an axiom, like "two points determine a straight line".
Fail. For a long time it was assumed that Euclid had identified absolute truths - Kant thought so. Then a whole series of alternative, non Euclidean geometries were established and Euc ...[text shortened]... s south of Rochester," https://threesixty360.wordpress.com/2008/09/01/which-direction-is-mecca/
Dear Sir/Madam
Are you stating this as an absolute fact or is it merely your subjective opinion?
Originally posted by FetchmyjunkIrony is always a mistake here. I would have done better to phrase this part of my post as follows: "So the only thing your examples illustrate is the idea that something is absolutely true when it is a tautology. If that is the best you can say, then you have said nothing."
[b]So absolute truth = tautology.
Dear Sir/Madam
Are you stating this as an absolute fact or is it merely your subjective opinion?[/b]
Never mind. You can focus on the remainder of my post.
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Finnegen, who ultimately will hold me responsible ?
This is a simple question. I don't think it calls for a dazzling review of the history of philosophy.
To whom am I ultimately responsible ? Anyone? Someone with limited authority or unlimited authority ?
Just myself ?
Just society ?
Just man ?
Which man then ? Hegel or Hugh Hefner ? Chopra or Oprey ? googlefudge or Socrates ?
To whom, if anyone, will I ultimately be accountable ?