ekp@mcnc.UUCP (Edward Pavelchek) (08/27/85)
Paul Torek argues that identity of two objects seperated in time does not imply continuity. As an example, he supposes that an electron could 'dissociate' itself for 1sec, and if no other electron was unaccountable for within 1 light second, then the 'reassociated' electron MUST be the same one that disappeared. However, one might have 'dissociated' 2 seconds ago, within 2 light-seconds, or n. This is a logical disproof not requiring knowledge of QM. On that question, I may be sadly out of date, but a fundamental assumption of QM was that all electrons are IDENTICAL except for spin. That means, taken literally, that it would have to be the same one! WITHOUT traceable continuity, a very long discussion will develop over the meaning of SAME, and I feel that Charley has a lot more arguing to do.