X-Message-Number: 26737
Date: Sat, 30 Jul 2005 09:35:34 -0400
From: Thomas Donaldson <>
Subject: once more for Mike Perry, + a request

HI everyone --- if you're interested in identity:

Whether logic is or isn't a branch of mathematics, it should be clear
that "identity = equivalence" for all practical purposes. If Mike Perry
is the same as he was yesterday IN ALL RESPECTS I would be amazed.
I'm different every few minutes, if not every few seconds.

I also finished my message discussing identity with a proposed definition
of how equivalent we must be to our previous versions to constitute
a continuation of that previous self. Put very briefly, I said that
"identity" in my sense meant a resemblance on the level of resemblance
to ourselves when we were 10 years old --- say a lapse of 50 years, 
since I'm 61. Some retention and coincidence of memories from 50 
years ago, and some resemblance modulo growth and aging (my hair
hasn't yet changed its color, but I started balding at age 25).

I pointed out that this was a definition, not a statement of fact.
But definitions can be either useful or useless. And I ended my 
definition by asking for comments. Anyone want to comment?

           Best wishes and long long life for all,

                Thomas Donaldson

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