Re: A definition of 'two' (2) please?



John Jones wrote:
So, if there is any justice in the world, are
1) two instances of one thing
2) two instances of a thing
3) two things the same? and by example or definition?

Two avoid natural language, I reformulate it as follows:

a) exists z (is-a(x,z) & is-a(y,z))
b) exists z,t (is-a(x,z) & is-a(y,t))

by example, I interpret as credulous reasoning,
i.e. exists M with M[a) <-> b)]
and by definition, I interpret as skeptical reasoning,
i.e. forall M it is M[a) <-> b)]

Now if is-a is rigid then:

credulous a) and b) are the same.
(Example: apple x and apple y
there are bot instances of one thing,
and of a thing, in this case the same thing apple)

skeptical a) and b) are not the same.
(Counter Example: apple x and orange y,
there are not instances of one thing,
but there are instances of a thing)

Bye
.

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