(A1) x is the same person as y if and only if x is composed of all of the same a
ID: 1044595 • Letter: #
Question
(A1) x is the same person as y if and only if x is composed of all of the same atoms as y Which of the following describes a counterexample to (A1)? Peter Parker is the same person as Spider-Man, but they wear different outfits. Katie is composed of fewer atoms after donating her kidney, but she is still the same person as Katie before the surgery. Terry is pasty white before his tanning session and bright red afterward, but he is still the same person. Paula Abdul is not composed of all of the same atoms as Abraham Lincoln, and they are different people.
Explanation / Answer
Answer(A1)
This case is extremely interesting. Counter example means contrary to example or against the idea inherent in the question. We shall consider each situation one by one.
The one and only one condition of being the same person is just being composed of all the same atoms, in number and identity.
We shall consider the case in different situation one by one.
(a) Peter Parker and Spider man: This is an example of the condition of being same. Since Peter Parker and Spider man looks different only for their dress or outfit. All the atoms in their bodies are same in number and identity. So they are the same person.
(b) Katie before and after the surgery : This is the case of counter example, bacause she has donated her kidney. Trillions of atoms have been removed from her body in the process of surgery for donation. So her body does not have the same number of atoms after the surgery as she had before. Therefore, according to the condition she is not the same person.This is a case of counter example.
(c) Terry and the tanning sessjon : He is not the same person before and after his tanning session. This describes a counter example. Skin is subjected to deadly skin cancer from UV rays of sunlight on continuous exposer. There is a natural safety mechanism of our body against this by increasing the melanin concentration in the skin. Melanin makes our skin dark. This is natural tanning.
Now comparatively recently, scientists have developed a chemical compound which penetrates the skin and causes melanin deposition on the skin. This has actually been done on the laboratory.
Since this process involves introduction of molecules inside the body, it is very apparent that new atoms have been introduced. So Terry is not the same parson after and before the tanning session done on him, hence a case of counter example.
(d) Paula Abdul and Abraham Lincoln : This is true. They are not the same person, they are different. This is because they are not composed of all the same atoms. Therefore this in accordance with the stated condition. This is not counter example.
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