The Best Arguments of All Time: Philosophy Forums

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The Best Arguments of All Time

kkiiji
Aubrey de Grey: a vampire

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Posted 11/03/09 - 03:16 PM:	#71
SIR2U wrote: P1: Everything that exists is definable(even if we do not know of its existence now, it will be when we discover it) P2: God is definable. (look in any dictionary) C: Therefore, God does exist. Things that don't exist are also definable. A unicorn is loosely defined as a horse with a horn on its head. You did indeed affirm the consequent.
Heard joke once: Man goes to doctor. Says he's depressed. Says life seems harsh and cruel. Says he feels all alone in a threatening world where what lies ahead is vague and uncertain. Doctor says "Treatment is simple. Great clown Pagliacci is in town tonight. Go and see him. That should pick you up." Man bursts into tears. Says "But Doctor... I am Pagliacci." Good joke, everybody laugh. Roll on snare drum... Curtains.

treemanshope
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Posted 11/03/09 - 05:15 PM:	#72
coolazice wrote: OK, an oldy but a goody would be: P1: Socrates is a man. P2: All men are mortal. C: Therefore, Socrates is mortal (from P1 and P2). This falls under the 'obvious' category, though. I am interested in any arguments that could be expressed like this which are less obvious (e.g. god exists, free will can only exist in such and such way, etc.) I don't have any arguments like that, which is why I created the topic in the first place! Your syllogism is traditionally called Barbara, and has to do with class and subjects. How about this. Men die. Grass dies. Men are grass. This syllogism does not have to do with class or subjects. Before language this syllogism would be logical because it deals with predicates only, and would have to be the logic the biological world is based on. That which dies is equal to that which dies. "Affirming the consequent."
The words of peace are just words, it is man that gives them flesh. Bring peace into the material world. Or, bring something else. treemanshope.

CLains
Student

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Posted 11/04/09 - 05:59 AM:	#73
Davidson's argument in "Mental Events" article

Cheshire
Aspect

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Posted 11/04/09 - 09:21 AM:	#74
Human knowledge is subject to error. If it is true, then human knowledge is subject to error. If it is false, then it is human knowledge that is subject to error. Which in turn makes it true. It is the basis for much of Popper's critical rationalism. It is one of the few self-confirming non-obvious statements as far as I know. In which to deny it is also to prove it.
Or not.

Willowz
Wilson wants a smile.

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Posted 11/04/09 - 02:33 PM:	#75
coolazice wrote: Aren't there some philosophical arguments, any arguments, which we can pretty reliably apply to reality, in other words, stuff that's just true no matter how you look at it? How about this sentence, coolazice: "It is raining"?.. What's raining? It's raining...I think "it" can pretty reliably apply to reality. Edited by Willowz on 11/04/09 - 02:41 PM
This song will prepare you for a good smile.

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