ah, I should have been clearer'exception' also means to leave out or ignore something, so more the phrase could be 'this situation where there is something missing tests the hypothesis'. Or something like that.
as in the rule is 'I usually eat bananas', the exception to the rule would be 'I sometimes eat apples.' The second statement validates the first. It doesn't prove it, or disprove it, merely adds substance to it.
(,
Thu 5 Apr 2007, 15:07,
archived)
as in the rule is 'I usually eat bananas', the exception to the rule would be 'I sometimes eat apples.' The second statement validates the first. It doesn't prove it, or disprove it, merely adds substance to it.
So this exception is a piece of information that has been left out so the rule can be applied?
AutoPrawn is glad we're living in the future now,
Thu 5 Apr 2007, 15:09,
archived)
or thatthis case where the situation is different demonstrates that the rule exists.
Edit - I should add that it really applies to rules where there aren't absolutes - i.e. "I always eat lard", it has to be of the type "I sometimes eat lard" or "I generally wash down lunch with a helping of fat". That way you can have a exception where I don't eat fat that demonstrates that I mostly do eat fat.
Although I don't eat lard myself.
(,
Thu 5 Apr 2007, 15:12,
archived)
Edit - I should add that it really applies to rules where there aren't absolutes - i.e. "I always eat lard", it has to be of the type "I sometimes eat lard" or "I generally wash down lunch with a helping of fat". That way you can have a exception where I don't eat fat that demonstrates that I mostly do eat fat.
Although I don't eat lard myself.
That makes sensethanks
( AutoPrawn is glad we're living in the future now,
Thu 5 Apr 2007, 15:30,
archived)
the problem was thatthe original reply didn't match the correct usage of the term. In fact the more correct "exception that proves the rule" for "all BMW drivers are wankers" is "People who drive Rovers are terribly nice". That is, the second statement that describes those people who are different shows that the first statement is correct.
Here endeth today's discussion.
(,
Thu 5 Apr 2007, 16:31,
archived)
Here endeth today's discussion.