Difference between revisions of "Tautology"
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| − | The concept of '''tautology''' has two definitions, one philosophical, one | + | The concept of '''tautology''' has two definitions, one [[philosophy|philosophical]], one [[rhetoric]]al. |
''Rhetorical tautology'' <ref>http://www.m-w.com</ref>is defined as "needless repetition of an idea, statement, or word". | ''Rhetorical tautology'' <ref>http://www.m-w.com</ref>is defined as "needless repetition of an idea, statement, or word". | ||
| − | An example of a rhetorical tautology would be, for instance, a "godless atheist", "secular science" or a "three-sided triangle" (as opposed to "all triangles have three sides", which is a definition). | + | An example of a rhetorical tautology would be, for instance, a "godless [[atheist]]", "[[secular]] [[science]]" or a "three-sided [[triangle]]" (as opposed to "all triangles have three sides", which is a definition). |
A ''philosophical tautology'' is <ref>http://www.dictionary.com</ref>"a compound propositional form all of whose instances are true", such as “A or not A.” | A ''philosophical tautology'' is <ref>http://www.dictionary.com</ref>"a compound propositional form all of whose instances are true", such as “A or not A.” | ||
| − | For example, "This candidate will win or will not win.” | + | For example, "This [[candidate]] will win or will not win.” |
| − | Another example is "If it | + | Another example is "If it [[rain]]s, it will rain." |
Revision as of 21:46, August 3, 2007
The concept of tautology has two definitions, one philosophical, one rhetorical.
Rhetorical tautology [1]is defined as "needless repetition of an idea, statement, or word". An example of a rhetorical tautology would be, for instance, a "godless atheist", "secular science" or a "three-sided triangle" (as opposed to "all triangles have three sides", which is a definition).
A philosophical tautology is [2]"a compound propositional form all of whose instances are true", such as “A or not A.” For example, "This candidate will win or will not win.” Another example is "If it rains, it will rain."