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cfmdobbie
High Emperor
Joined: 01 Jul 2002
Posts: 1859
Location: London, England |
Dinosaurs laid eggs; dinosaurs were walking the earth millions of years before chickens appeared. Let's hope that clears that one up... 
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Charlie Dobbie
=Member of The Nonflamers' Guild=
=Moderator of the Morrowind/Oblivion Forums= |
Sat Mar 06, 2004 1:31 am |
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goshuto
Wanderer
Joined: 29 May 2002
Posts: 1142
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On the origin of the chicken (chook) and the egg
The question "which came first, the chicken or the egg" looks at first glance like a matter of straightforward reproductive biology. But before we can even begin to answer this question, we must define our terms. So actually, it is a classic case of semantic ambiguity: a problem of meaning and interpretation. Specifically, while the term 'chicken' is biologically unambiguous -- we all know what a chicken looks, sounds and tastes like -- the term 'egg' is somewhat more general and is therefore a possible source of ambiguity. Do we mean (1) just any egg, or (2) a chicken egg? And if we're talking about a chicken egg, then is a 'chicken egg' (2a) an egg laid by a chicken, (2b) an egg containing a chicken, or (2c) both? Reformulating the question to reflect each possible meaning of 'egg' leads to four distinct versions of the chicken-or-egg question.
1. Which came first, the chicken or (just any old) egg?
2a. Which came first, the chicken or an egg laid by a chicken?
2b. Which came first, the chicken or an egg containing a chicken?
2c. Which came first: the chicken, or an egg laid by and containing a chicken?
Contrary to popular belief, there is indeed a definite answer to each of these questions. Specifically, the answers are: (1) The egg. (2a) The chicken. (2b) The egg. (2c) The chicken. Given some knowledge of logic and biology, these answers are not hard to verify.
First, consider question 1: which came first, the chicken or (just any old) egg? This question is answered 'the egg' because species that lay eggs have been around a lot longer than modern chickens. For example, we have plenty of fossil evidence that dinosaurs laid eggs from which baby dinosaurs hatched, and dinosaurs predate chickens by millions of years. Indeed, a growing body of research indicates that dinosaurs were among the biological ancestors of chickens.
Now let's look at question 2a: which came first, the chicken or an egg laid by a chicken? The answer to this question is 'the chicken' on semantic grounds alone. That is, if a chicken egg must be laid by a chicken, then before a chicken egg can exist, there must by definition be a chicken around to lay it. And question 2c -- which came first, the chicken or an egg laid by and containing a chicken -- is answered the same way on the same grounds; logically, the fact that a chicken egg must be laid by a chicken precedes and therefore dominates the (biologically subsequent) requirement that it contain a chicken. So whereas we needed paleozoological evidence to answer question 1, the others require practically no biological knowledge.
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"Tree stuck in cat. Firemen baffled."--Simcity 3K
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards."--Soren Aabye Kierkegaard |
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Sat Mar 06, 2004 3:10 am |
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Namirrha
Noble Knight
Joined: 03 May 2002
Posts: 218
Location: Utah County, Utah. |
I had chicken dijon a few nights ago. Tasty.
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Give me the shadows, shield me from the light, and I shall let nothing pass in the darkness of the night. |
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Sat Mar 06, 2004 6:08 am |
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Iron Man
Dazed and Confused
Joined: 07 Dec 2002
Posts: 773
Location: Location Location |
Well, that's me told
*sulks in corner*
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This box secretly turns into a picture and laughs at YOU personally when you're not looking. |
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Sat Mar 06, 2004 9:08 pm |
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Lintra
Elf Friend
Joined: 23 Apr 2002
Posts: 9448
Location: Bermuda, the triangle place with SANDY BEACHES |
@val - good one!
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Mon Mar 08, 2004 1:05 pm |
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Val
Risen From Ashes
Joined: 18 Feb 2002
Posts: 14724
Location: Utah, USA |
Heh, you should see the one where they're debating each other. 
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Freeeeeeedom! Thank heavens it's summer!
What do I have to show for my hard work? A piece of paper! Wee!
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Mon Mar 08, 2004 1:22 pm |
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Lintra
Elf Friend
Joined: 23 Apr 2002
Posts: 9448
Location: Bermuda, the triangle place with SANDY BEACHES |
quote:
Originally posted by Val
Heh, you should see the one where they're debating each other.
Would you please post a link? It is Monday in the AM and I am sure all of us could use a laugh. Pretty please?
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Mon Mar 08, 2004 3:09 pm |
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Val
Risen From Ashes
Joined: 18 Feb 2002
Posts: 14724
Location: Utah, USA |
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Freeeeeeedom! Thank heavens it's summer!
What do I have to show for my hard work? A piece of paper! Wee!
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Mon Mar 08, 2004 6:12 pm |
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Mercenary
Helpful Friend
Joined: 25 Nov 2002
Posts: 2874
Location: Chromanin |
Good one.
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Mon Mar 08, 2004 6:50 pm |
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Lintra
Elf Friend
Joined: 23 Apr 2002
Posts: 9448
Location: Bermuda, the triangle place with SANDY BEACHES |
Thanks Val 
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=Member of The Nonflamers' Guild=
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Mon Mar 08, 2004 7:41 pm |
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Chekote
Where’s my Banana?!?!
Joined: 08 Mar 2002
Posts: 1540
Location: Dont know, looks kind of green |
Goshuto always makes my head hurt... 
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IMHO my opinion is humble |
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Mon Mar 08, 2004 7:55 pm |
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