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Re: [Phys-l] mushrooms ... and other terminology issues



Words are powerful things. Real scientific definitions come out of discourse, so of course there is a historical dimension, but I don't think I would normally think about definitions as quibbling, since they are based on conceptual frameworks that run deep.

joe
Joseph J. Bellina, Jr. Ph.D.
Retired Professor of Physics
Co-Director
Northern Indiana Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Collaborative
574-276-8294
inquirybellina@comcast.net




On Aug 12, 2011, at 11:16 AM, curtis osterhoudt wrote:

Very true. In related news, Florida recently outlawed "sex with animals" (http://www.southernfriedscience.com/?p=10369), but forgot their basic taxonomy of humans. . ..

I'm a bit disturbed by your use of the word "subsequently", though that's likely a conversation to be having off-list. Perhaps this one is, too.






________________________________
From: "carmelo@pacific.net.sg" <carmelo@pacific.net.sg>
To: phys-l@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu
Sent: Friday, August 12, 2011 8:51 AM
Subject: Re: [Phys-l] mushrooms ... and other terminology issues

It can be worthwhile quibbling about definitions.
Some doctors adopted the "alternative definition", and continued with
abortion.
Their clinics were destroyed subsequently.

We have to be very careful with definitions. :-)


Quoting curtis osterhoudt <flutzpah@yahoo.com>:

I don't understand. Are spores fungi? Are pollen grains actually
plants? Are you quibbling about definitions?


/**************************************
"The four points of the compass be logic, knowledge, wisdom and the
unknown. Some do bow in that final direction. Others advance upon
it. To bow before the one is to lose sight of the three. I may
submit to the unknown, but never to the unknowable." ~~Roger
Zelazny, in "Lord of Light"
***************************************/


________________________________
From: "carmelo@pacific.net.sg" <carmelo@pacific.net.sg>
To: phys-l@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu
Sent: Thursday, August 11, 2011 10:56 PM
Subject: Re: [Phys-l] mushrooms ... and other terminology issues

Are we animals before birth or after?
If it is before birth, which month?


Quoting curtis osterhoudt <flutzpah@yahoo.com>:

Many protozoa, including amoebas, are predators, and are decidedly
not animals.


/**************************************
"The four points of the compass be logic, knowledge, wisdom and the
unknown. Some do bow in that final direction. Others advance upon
it. To bow before the one is to lose sight of the three. I may
submit to the unknown, but never to the unknowable." ~~Roger
Zelazny, in "Lord of Light"
***************************************/


_______________________________________________
Forum for Physics Educators
Phys-l@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu
https://carnot.physics.buffalo.edu/mailman/listinfo/phys-l



_______________________________________________
Forum for Physics Educators
Phys-l@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu
https://carnot.physics.buffalo.edu/mailman/listinfo/phys-l




_______________________________________________
Forum for Physics Educators
Phys-l@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu
https://carnot.physics.buffalo.edu/mailman/listinfo/phys-l



_______________________________________________
Forum for Physics Educators
Phys-l@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu
https://carnot.physics.buffalo.edu/mailman/listinfo/phys-l