X-Message-Number: 19919 From: Rafal Smigrodzki <> Subject: RE: CryoNet #19877 - #19887 Date: Mon, 26 Aug 2002 13:56:19 -0400 From: One might ask, are there not situations where the choice is arbitrary and yours is as good as mine? I say no, aside from trivialities like choosing a necktie, and maybe not even there. If your basis is explicit and quantitative, then the solution is always unique, barring trivialities. You can fool yourself--and that may sometimes even be a good idea--but you can't fool Ma Nature. ### You might want to discuss this matter with a mathematician, especially somebody working on extensions of axiomatic systems. Just as there is no unique truth (or falsity) in Euclidean geometry, no unique and absolutely true statements can be derived about the physical world. There is no explicit and quantitative basis for that. Especially regarding matters of taste and propriety, like what necktie to use, and what physical objects to consider to be extensions of one's identity. Nature isn't my mother, either. Rafal Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=19919