Reply #68: I have given my definition,

[Strong Atheist]

one I might add that is probably close to how most NORMAL people use the word in EVERYDAY life. Again:

"I personally come to know things through the totality of my experiences with the universe. There are three possibilities; let us examine each in turn, and then I will give one example (among DOZENS of others that I could provide if necessary, hint hint) that illustrates all three states.
If only SOME of my experiences lead me to think that something may be true or false, I am uncertain. If MOST of my experiences lead me to think that something may be true or may be false, then I am CONFIDENT that it is true or false as the case dictates. If ALL of my experiences lead me to the conclusion that something is true all false, then I am CERTAIN that it is true or false."


to quote myself.

1. You : "I have no reason to conclude that it is possible to any material fact with certainty."

Fine. Then we are through here. You are certain of nothing, I am certain of a large number of things (see all my examples) as are all normal people. The word "certain" has a meaning normal people understand, when you take a normal word and bend it so out of shape that it can't be used, you are being intellectually dishonest, not to mention bankrupt.


2. You: "I will happily define certainty after you have done so."

I am not going to hold my breath on that promise. You have shown that you are quite capable of dishing it out, attacking others positive statements (Ok, ok, MY positive statements:P ) but you have shown a complete unwillingness, other than number 1. (above, which I acknowledge is a good step toward honesty) to post what you believe. So, you can dish it out, but you can't take it. There are words for people like that, that constantly attack but do not put down there own views, but I am barred from using them, both by Meldreads terms of the debate, and by D.U. rules ....:evilgrin:

To re-iterate, as far as I am concerned, we are through. You are certain of NOTHING. I understand that now. This is such a bizarre point of view, normal people will not agree with that premise. We are CERTAIN of many things. So we have reached the fundamental impasse based on premises that I talked about in my post above. Enjoy your twisted, unrecognizable definition of CERTAIN, and enjoy your day!:toast: