Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!lll-winken!lll-tis!ames!nrl-cmf!ukma!psuvm.bitnet!b2h
From: B2H@PSUVMA.BITNET (Brian W. Hart)
Newsgroups: sci.philosophy.tech
Subject: Suggested Reading: Analytic/Synthetic Dichotomy
Message-ID: <38334B2H@PSUVMA>
Date: 6 Apr 88 01:55:49 GMT
Organization: The Pennsylvania State University - Computation Center
Lines: 23


   I was browsing this news group when I noticed a discussion about whether
"Water is H2O" is an analytic or synthetic statement.

   I have recently been reading many of Ayn Rand's books, and I thought that
perhaps some of you might like to read what L. Piekov (sp?) has to say on
the subject of the Analytic/Synthetic Dichotomy.  His essay on the problem
can be found in Rand's book _An Introduction to Objectivist Epistemology_.

   Piekov (sp?) contends that there is no such Dichotomy since all definitions
actually cover all characteristics of a concept in the context of man's
knowledge.  He states that since definitions cover *all* characteristics, not
just the general characteristics found in dictionaries, etc., a dichotomy is
not possible within the context of man's knowledge.

   For example, the statement "Water is H2O" would be analytic, since one of
the characteristics of water (in the context of man's entire knowledge) is
that it is formed by the combination of two H atoms and one O atom.  Thus,
the statement evaluates effectively to "H2O is H2O" which is obviously
analytic.

   Piekov (sp?), however, presents his argument in a much more detailed and
structured manner, and I recommend that you read it before you crucify me
for leaving out details, etc.