Thursday, December 2, 2010

Philosophy Wire: From an apple that is not an apple to death that is not death...

Philosophy Wire of Spiros Kakos: 2010-12-01 Okanagan Specialty Fruits Inc. (OSF) has created a genetically modified apple that does not brown after being cut. [Source: http://news.in.gr/science-technology/article/?aid=1231069393, http://www.businessreviewcanada.ca/sectors/food/genetically-modified-non-browning-apples-british-columbia-0] Is an apple that does not turn brown after being cut an apple?



What are the characterisitcs an apple has? How many characteristics of an apple can we change before we stop talking about "apples"? Are things really different or is the world ONE as Parmenides said? [http://knol.google.com/k/harmonia-philosophica#] What actually is "is" ? What makes something what it "is" ? If we change one characteristic of something, is that something the "same" ? Yes? What if we change two characteristics? Do we still have the "same" thing? If we change all characteristics of  normal "apples" as we know them now, in 2010, will they still be "apples"? Imagine the same questions for humans and your mind can blow up... All of our cells change - are we still the "same" person? If yes, what about death? Is that also a small "characteristics change" in our body and existence? Do we still remain humans, as apples that do not brown are still "apples" ?

(c) Philosophy WIRES - Commenting world news from philosophy's perspective...
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