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Old 03-04-2002, 02:50 PM   #31
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Albert Cipriani:

You’re right that some of my statements were tautologies. But so are all theorems of mathematics. Some tautologies are not obvious to everyone. It’s often worthwhile to point them out and explain why they’re tautologies for the sake of promoting clear thinking.

But speaking of clear thinking, what shall we make of your statement:

Quote:
Tho you are correct to say "that no meaningful definition of ‘miracle’ is possible," you would be incorrect to therefore suppose that no practical definition of miracle is possible.
OK, lets try this: “Tho you are correct to say that no meaningful definition of a ‘square circle’ is possible, you would be incorrect to therefore suppose that no practical definition of ‘square circle’ is possible.” Sounds kinda silly, doesn’t it?
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Old 03-04-2002, 05:59 PM   #32
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Dear Bd,
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Tho you are correct to say that no meaningful definition of a ‘square circle’ is possible, you would be incorrect to therefore suppose that no practical definition of ‘square circle’ is possible. Sounds kinda silly, doesn't it?


Sure it SOUNDS silly, cuz sounding silly is the sound of "no meaning." And the definition of a square circle has no meaning and is not possible.

But a practical definition of a square circle is possible, has meaning, and shouldn't sound silly. I could draw a square with rounded corners. That's a practical solution to this Koan. Just as is the following haiku:


Preemptive answer:
the sound of one hand clapping
the guru's mouth shut.


Likewise, the practical solution to the possibility that miracles could occur tho they cannot be defined, is that they occur in the eye of the beholder. Practical solutions allow both sides to have their cake and eat it too. Don't turn your nose up at it. – Cheers, Albert the Traditional Catholic
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