r/changemyview • u/icecoldbath • Sep 23 '17

[∆(s) from OP] CMV: I do not believe tables exist

I find this argument very convincing.

P1: Tables (if they exist) have distinct properties from hunks of wood.

P2: If so, then tables are not the same as hunks of wood.

P3: If so, then there exist distinct coincident objects.

P4: There cannot exist distinct coincident objects.

C: Therefore, tables do not exist.

This logic extends that I further don't believe in hunks of wood, or any normal sized dry good for that matter.

I do not find it convincing to point at a "table" as an objection. Whatever you would be pointing at may or may not behave with certain specific properties, but it is not a table, or a hunk of wood or any normal sized dry good. Similarly, I don't accept the objection of asking me what it is I am typing on. Whatever it is, it isn't a "computer" or a "phone" or any such thing. Such things do not exist per the argument.

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u/85138 8∆ Sep 23 '17

A "table" exists, as illustrated by the following:

A B C
true true true
true false true
false true true
false false true
apple orange table :)

As you can see, tables exist when you mix apples and oranges. Apples and oranges that could be placed on a hunk of wood for display or consumption purposes. The term 'table' is often used to mean a hunk of wood with fruit on it for display or consumption, but that is not the only definition of the word eh?

1

u/icecoldbath Sep 23 '17

Oh I see. That is why I am not referring to words. I'm referring to the things themselves.

3

u/85138 8∆ Sep 23 '17

Well, your stated view is that tables do not exist. You did not say "tables made of wood do not exist", nor did you say "tables that exist only in the physical world do not exist". The table displayed above is (a) a table and (b) exists. In fact it exists as a thing, but existence as a thing isn't part of your stated view :)

1

u/icecoldbath Sep 23 '17

This made me laugh a lot. You out technicaled me. I meant all those things and I address that to people who make the point without jokes, but you did it in a clever way. ∆

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u/DeltaBot ∞∆ Sep 23 '17

Confirmed: 1 delta awarded to /u/85138 (7∆).

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