same or different?

ampersat · 07-23-2003, 05:55 AM

in college, i spent some time as a philosopy major. i didn't find life's answers but i learned about most of the questions. this is one i came up with on my own. i know what it means to me but it's up to interpretation as to what it means to you.

Silver Hilton · 07-23-2003, 12:43 PM

It's a) if you are trying to figure if they're the same, and b) if you're trying to figure out if they're different.

Duh-h-h.

Isn't this really a varient of the ol' dictomomy in taxonomy? There were the folks who wanted to lump things together and there were those who prefered to split them into smaller groups. I haven't a clue what that means about them.

[ 07-23-2003, 01:48 PM: Message edited by: Silver Hilton ]

Gus Orviston · 07-23-2003, 01:04 PM

If you want to compare them...then you look for how they are the same.

If you contrast them...then you look for how they are different.

geez that was easy,,,now do you want to know the meaning of life?

gus the fillahsufer

ampersat · 07-23-2003, 04:07 PM

okay, let me put it this way:
you go down to FMS and there's this nifty new lure there on the rack. it's not like any of the other lures that we're all familiar with but you buy one anyway, if for no other reason except that you can show it to your buddies on your next trip. when evaluating what type of fish to use it for and you're holding it up next to all the other lures in your tackle box, which is more important, the similarities or the differences?

silver hilton: that's exactly what i'm getting at with this question. what does your answer to this question say about you? (yours and gus' answers indicate that you're both the smart alecky types

)

gus: you can keep your answer to the meaning of life. i have my own, thank you. (one of the many valuable things i learned from my philosopy training.)

drhall99 · 07-23-2003, 06:58 PM

The answer to your question (imo) is neither, both or, in other words, yes.

D.

Silver Hilton · 07-23-2003, 07:50 PM

Ampersat,

upon reflection, I think my answer indicates that I am brilliant, good looking, and the chicks dig me. :grin:

You're absolutely right. My answer indicates that I am a smart aleck, and think I know it all. That is dead on, and gets me in more trouble than I know what to do with!

ampersat · 07-23-2003, 11:44 PM

as an aside to this, how would you interpret the two answers to this question and what it means about the people answering it?

FallRiverGuy · 07-24-2003, 09:05 AM

I think that Gus and Silver Hilton have pretty much summed it up. As for your example with the fishing lure, sure you would look for similarities if you wanted to find what kind of fish to use it for. But if this lure happened to out fish all the other lures in your box, you would, or at least I would, be looking at the differences to find what makes this one unique.

I worked on project in college that typified lumpers and splitter. This project dealt with two �species� of a fungus found in the NW. A country that imported wheat from the NW rejected wheat they determined to be contaminated with one of the two. For years the splitters tried to find quantifiable differences that were species specific so tests could be developed to test for the presence of this fungus in shipments before they left port. Unfortunately, there was too much overlap in characteristics to make this feasible. Along comes the lumpers and they say you will never find a characteristic that is species specific because they are the same species, only variants. Eventually it becomes evident that it is a purely political issue and no amount of science will resolve the problem.

So which approach you use depends on what you are or are not looking for.

crabbait · 07-24-2003, 10:51 AM

The difference is in the perspective.

If you are trying to make something work, or bring diverse groups together, look for similarities.

If you are trying to show why something won't work or drive groups apart, look for differences.

To me, one indicates a positive outlook (similarities - trying to get along). The other indicates a negative outlook (differences - trying to divide).

"Its not the same, but it is similar. Let's try it, it might work!"

"Its not the same, its different. Forget it, it won't work."

SHLEPROCK · 07-24-2003, 05:57 PM

Is your beer half full or half empty.
It depends on if you're drinking it or filling it.

Hoosier Daddy · 07-28-2003, 09:15 AM

I agree with SH. And apparently, I'm a splitter.