Thursday, February 05, 2009

I am hereby declaring that “Solar System” isn’t well-defined

The same as “lexical category” or “edible”.

Comments

Klisz:

05-02-2009 23:14:04 UTC

And thus, “flying monkey” could be added to the Solar Map.

Amnistar: he/him

05-02-2009 23:14:20 UTC

Actually, I’d say that solar system is defined by science, isn’t it?  Those objects which are withing the rotation of our sun?

Amnistar: he/him

05-02-2009 23:15:10 UTC

in fact, it’s defined as:

the sun with the celestial bodies that revolve around it in its gravitational field

Klisz:

05-02-2009 23:16:29 UTC

...

Well, “planet” isn’t well-defined (given how Pluto is in there), therefore someone could add their name to the Map.

Wakukee:

05-02-2009 23:17:22 UTC

No one wants to exploit the rules in that way, DC.

Kevan: he/him

05-02-2009 23:19:11 UTC

The only reference to the solar system in the rulest is in the sentence “the values of Station are limited to any one planet or moon located within the Solar System only”. “Flying monkey” is no moon.

You’re right that an explicit list would have been helpful here, though.

Klisz:

05-02-2009 23:21:08 UTC

They could add anything is what I meant.

Klisz:

05-02-2009 23:21:33 UTC

Posted at the same time as Kevan.

Amnistar: he/him

05-02-2009 23:22:34 UTC

only so long as it could be defined as a planet or moon.

Klisz:

05-02-2009 23:22:57 UTC

But “planet” and “moon” aren’t well-defined.

Amnistar: he/him

05-02-2009 23:32:31 UTC

actually, I’m pretty sure we could find definitions for them.  And while Pluto isn’t a true ‘planet’ it is a dwarf planet, which would, I’d think, fit the category.

Also, while they are not as well defined as we might like them to be, there is an issue that “Flying monkey” is not a planet nor a moon in the solar system.  thus, it cannot be added.

I think rather than stating they’re not defined, period, individual cases should be brought forward as they merit and the rule adjusted to fix that.

Klisz:

05-02-2009 23:38:13 UTC

Fine.

Qwazukee:

06-02-2009 05:36:40 UTC

Dwarf planets and planets aren’t the same thing. I could argue that Pluto shouldn’t be included. But I don’t care.