virus: Re:PCR Three Axioms

D.H.Rosdeitcher (76473.3041@compuserve.com)
Sat, 27 Sep 1997 13:02:11 -0400


There seems to be confusion about the difference between assumptions made
in PCR and assumptions made in other idea systems.

Tad wrote:
>Is the statement "Any statement is either falsifiable or it's either a
>'tautology' or an 'axiom' a falsifiable statement, an axiom, or a
>tautology?

This statement happens to be falsifiable, since, statements like jokes,
exclamations, commands do not fall into the category of being falisifiable,
axiomatic, or tautological. But the point Tad tried to make is that
PCRists seem to accept certain statements as axioms, such as the statement,
"Falsifiable statements are useful, but tautologies are not.". However, in
PCR, such statements do not hold status as axioms, because in PCR, such
statements can get challenged. Unlike other idea systems, the philosophy
of PCR does not accept its own ideas as true or "the best". It's just that
no better idea system has been found to replace PCR. In other words, in PCR
we can use assumptions, but at the same time not believe them to be
absolutely true.
--David R.