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Article 2027 of comp.ai.philosophy:
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>From: bill@NSMA.AriZonA.EdU (Bill Skaggs)
Newsgroups: sci.philosophy.tech,comp.ai.philosophy
Subject: Re: Existence
Message-ID: <1991Dec10.152918.2242@arizona.edu>
Date: 10 Dec 91 22:29:16 GMT
Article-I.D.: arizona.1991Dec10.152918.2242
References: <95503@brunix.UUCP> <1991Dec9.035335.19756@bnlux1.bnl.gov> <95684@brunix.UUCP> <1991Dec10.102843.6395@husc3.harvard.edu>
Reply-To: bill@NSMA.AriZonA.EdU (Bill Skaggs)
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BS:
>>>>>What difference does it make whether the number pi "exists"?

KY:
>>The number pi "exists" because aliens with a completely different
>>culture and science/technology probably also would agree on
>>the value of pi to the upteenth decimal place. 

CY:
>You thus define the word "exists" as "can be uniquely defined."  A fine
>definition, though you're unlikely to find it in the dictionary.

Mikhail Zeleny:
>In the words of John McCarthy, "more blather from the invincibly ignorant".
>After you reflect on your reading comprehension inadequacy, which led you
>to a blatant misinterpretation of Kenton's article, check out the Runes
>dictionary of philosophy (whose otherwise sordid quality is redeemed only
>by the Alonzo Church logic articles) and see what it says about the real
>definition.


I'm not sure why you're referring us to a dictionary of "sordid quality",
but it's okay with me.  Here's what Runes' dictionary says:

*****
Existence: (Lat. existiere: to emerge)  The mode of being which
consists in interaction with other things.  For Aristotle, matter
clothed with form.  Essences subjected to accidents; the state of
things beyond their causes.  The state of being actual, the condition
of objectivity.  In epistemology: that which is experienced.  In
psychology:  the presence of a given datum in the physical universe
at some date and place.  Sometimes identified with truth or reality.
Opposite of essence.  See *Actuality*.
*****

This is a collection of definitions -- let's consider the question
"Does pi exist?" with respect to each of them:

1) The mode of being which consists in interaction with other
things.

	Does pi exist?  _Yes_, because we use it.

2) For Aristotle, matter clothed with form.

	Does pi exist?  _No_.

3) Essences subjected to accidents; the state of things beyond
their causes.

	Does pi exist?  Does this definition make sense?

4) The state of being actual, the condition of objectivity.

	Does pi exist?  _Yes_, because "aliens with a completely 
	different culture and science/technology also would 
	agree on the value of pi to the upteenth decimal place."

5) In epistemology: that which is experienced.

	Does pi exist?  _No_, unless you're a barefoot Platonist.

6) In psychology: the presence of a given datum in the physical
universe at some date and place.

	Does pi exist?  _No_.



Which of these is the definition *you* are using, Mikhail?  Or is
it something not even mentioned here?

	-- Bill


