From: DRAGONFLY           
To: SAAVIK              
Subject: relig & logic??
Date & Time: 05/22/91 13:10:29
Message Number 17013

> Is there anyway to summarize this for this not so brain endowed
> Vulcan?
    
   Where?  I see only intelligent Vulcans around here.
   
   It's been mostly a debate about words, and semantics.  The three
words debated have been "logical,"  "true" (sometimes "correct"), and
"useful."  I've been defining the words in this way:
    
   Logical:  Applying logic to a set of assumptions.  It makes NO 
      difference how reasonable the assumptions are, so long as
      good logic has been applied.  My example:
    
      All Armadilloes are Green.
      God is an Armadillo.
    -------------------------------
      God is Green.
    
      This is a perfectly logical sequence, although I'd be hard pressed
      to find anyone who either believes the assumptions or the
      conclusion.
    
   True (or "correct"):  Able to be verified.  It's a true statement 
      that my shirt is blue, because I can verify it.  It's not a true
      statement that, say, a pink elephant exists.  That does NOT mean
      the same as "there does not exist a pink elephant," though -- it
      just means that it has not been verified that a pink elephant
      exists.
     
   Useful:  An assumption which, though it may not be verifiable -- and,
      indeed, might be wrong -- still explains a portion of reality.
      For example, a useful assumption would be: Water boils at 100 
      degrees Centigrade.  It's true, here in Florida, but not in 
      Denver. 
     
(continued, next message.)