by the nature and essence

[otemporaomores]

"by the nature and essence of existence, contradictions cannot exist."

explain?

what exactly is the nature and essence of existence that makes it impossible?

[Plasmatic]

"by the nature and essence of existence, contradictions cannot exist."

explain?

what exactly is the nature and essence of existence that makes it impossible?

Look out, observe everything in your view. Can you point to a single thing that is not what it is? Youll never find a square-circle!

Edited September 4, 2009 by Plasmatic

[phibetakappa]

"by the nature and essence of existence, contradictions cannot exist."

explain?

what exactly is the nature and essence of existence that makes it impossible?

First, I've noticed you've posted three times using quotes, but have not provided sources for your quotes. Please provided sources in the future.

I believe this is almost a quote from "Atlas Shrugged" page 309, but it is a little muffed. Here is the actual quote from the book:

There is only one helpful suggestion that I can give you: By the essence and nature of existence, contradictions cannot exist. If you find it inconceivable that an invention of genius should be abandoned among ruins, and that a philosopher should wish to work as a cook in a diner—check your premises. You will find that one of them is wrong."

...

Everything in existence is what it is. It is distinct, unique, one of a kind. The nature of a contradiction, is that it is a claim which deny's this. A contradictions states in some terms that a thing can both be and not be what it is at the same time and in the same respect. But, a thing is what it is by its nature, and therefore cannot be what it is, and be what it is not at the same time and in the same respect.

In the case of actual physical objects, including ourselves, we easily recognize that we can not be in the same place at the same time.

For example in law an alibi in a murder case is offend based on this. That is, John Doe could not be the murder because we have confirmed that he was in Japan, across the world, at the time of the murder. The implicit understand is the nature of existence is such that people (things) can not be at two different locations at the same time.

In the case of actual physical objects, including ourselves, we easily recognize that we can not occupy the same space at the same time.

For example, in crossing the street we realize that if a car runs into us, it will not just pass through us, and the space we occupy; no the we and the car running us over can not occupy the same space at the same time.

Without going into more technical examples, this is a basic meaning of this statement.

Edited September 4, 2009 by phibetakappa

[Robert J. Kolker]

In the case of actual physical objects, including ourselves, we easily recognize that we can not occupy the same space at the same time.

Consider the following experiment: Take a partly slack rope and give a sharp jerk on it. A hump or peak will travel from you hand to the other end. Now set up the rope with two people (each on opposite ends). They both snap the rope and the waves travel in opposite directions right through each other. So when the humps cross they occupy the same space at the same time.

Similarly when light beams cross each other in space they do not interfere with each other.

Bob Kolker

[otemporaomores]

Yes, you're right. It was by Dr. Akston in Atlas Shrugged. My apologies.

I understand now though, thank you.