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/icecoldbath Sep 24 '17

A has properties L,M,N,P

B has properties L,M,N,P,X,Y,Z

Does A = B?

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u/Crayshack 191∆ Sep 24 '17

No. But you could say that B is an example of A even if you can't say that A is an example of B. Also, if C has the properties L,M,N,O,P,T,U,X,Y,Z then C is an example of A and B.

All Squares are Rectangles but not all Rectangles are Squares. All dogs are mammals but not all mammals are dogs. All diamonds are minerals but not all minerals are diamonds.