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Re: [ontolog-forum] History of the Atomic Hypothesis

To: "[ontolog-forum] " <ontolog-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
From: Pat Hayes <phayes@xxxxxxx>
Date: Sun, 27 Jul 2008 12:25:53 -0500
Message-id: <p0623090bc4b25efd677d@[192.168.1.2]>
At 9:28 AM -0400 7/27/08, John F. Sowa wrote:
>Alex,
>
>Your comments raise a lot of questions:    (01)

...    (02)

>M-W definition #3 is technically correct, but the person who wrote
>it should have avoided using the words 'particle' and 'element' in
>the same sentence -- because it could cause the reader to think
>'elementary particle'.
>
>I would suggest the word 'subdivision' instead of 'particle' in order
>to avoid that confusion.  My recommended definition:
>
>     the smallest subdivision of an element that retains the
>     defining characteristics of that element.    (03)

But you have to specify *chemical* 
characteristics, since for example a single atom 
of sodium lacks most of the defining 
characteristics of sodium in bulk: its not 
metallic, shiny, soft, inflammable, etc..  In 
some cases, eg carbon, a single atom has none of 
the bulk characteristics, since these depend on 
the crystalline structure (graphite, soot, fiber 
or diamond)    (04)

>In summary, this discussion illustrates the point I was tying to make:
>If we use words at a vague level (without detailed definitions and
>axioms), we can reach agreement.  But if we try to pin down the exact
>meanings to the level necessary for writing detailed axioms, we get
>into an endless series of analyses and disputes about different ways
>of doing the analysis.    (05)

Yes, indeedy :-)    (06)

Pat    (07)

>
>John Sowa
>____________________________________________________________________
>
>1 : one of the minute indivisible particles of which according to
>ancient materialism the universe is composed
>
>2  : a tiny particle : bit
>
>3  : the smallest particle of an element that can exist either alone or
>in combination
>
>4  : the atom considered as a source of vast potential energy
>
>
>
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