Challenge the Philosophy - Competition 1 & Entry Form

I, Stephen Garvey, have not only been unable to overcome the proposition, we cannot [more reasonably] truly know who we are, in part or in whole, and be who we are at the same time. I believe that the proposition, which has significant implications, cannot more reasonably be overcome. Though I am not fully certain. To find out, within limit, whether the proposition can be overcome or not, and to reward an individual or group for excellent work, challengethephilosophy.com will publish the idea, and explanation, of any individual or group who [more reasonably] overcomes the proposition. The challenge will be in effect indefinitely starting September 1 1999, until an individual or group overcomes the proposition. Definitions of principal terms used in the competition: "We cannot [more reasonably] truly know": our inability to more soundly and consistently show how we can know something in entirety. For further explanation, and explanation of "know", see "cannot truly know". "Who we are": the entire make-up of ourselves as human beings. For further explanation see who we are. "Be": the state of living or existing. "Existence": things and life-forms occupying space. "We": all Homo sapiens who are existing, regardless of level of functionality. "At the same time": the simultaneous occurrence of true knowledge of who we are, in part or in whole, and being who we are. "In part and in whole": the phrase has been inserted into the proposition to challenge individuals who believe in true part knowledge like individuals in science who believe the Law of Thermodynamics or mathematical theory is true, or individuals in religion who believe God is true. "Overcome": more reasonable refutation of the proposition, "we cannot [more reasonably] truly know who we are, in part or in whole, and be who we are at the same time". "More reasonable refutation" entails using reason in the most objective manner possible, and includes the arguments stated in the entries and disputes submitted to this "Challenge the Philosophy" competition, and the arguments stated in the responses to them. Also, one idea or position is deemed more reasonable than another idea or position if it is more sound and consistent. (Overcoming the proposition can entail more reasonably refuting its terms and the concepts behind them, if the meaning of the proposition itself is significantly altered through the incorporation of new terms and concepts.) Defense of the proposition: For a summary of the main arguments supporting the proposition, see arguments. One implication of the proposition: Since we apparently cannot more reasonably completely know any aspect of ourselves, and human consciousness is apparently centered on human identity, Challenge Proposition 1 further supports and clarifies the more reasonable subjectivity and uncertainty of (all) human knowledge. The entries, and the names of the entrants, and responses to the entries will be posted on the website. Entries that overlap previous entries will not be posted. (For most recent entries see link in the top header.) Also, any disputes regarding responses to entries will be posted. (For a summary of entries see summary) If you think the challenge proposition cannot be overcome, in concise words tell us why using the entry form below. (Explanations submitted will likely be posted.)

~ Entry Form ~

Conditions for the Competition Entries: The Entry Form below must be filled out and sent via e-mail to challengethephilosophy.com. Lengthy entries or any other lengthy submissions can be mailed to: challengethephilosophy.com P.O. Box 42 Kimberley, B.C. V1A 2Y5 Attention: The "Challenge the Philosophy" competition, or e-mailed as non-attachments to challengethephilosophy.com using the Entry Form below. The competition is open to anyone. There is no limit, barring repetition, on the number of entries or other submissions submitted by a single participant. Entries and other submissions must be concise. However, there is no word limit on submissions. Group Entries: A group can entail any organization of people including clubs, classes, departments, and societies. There is no group size limit. Also, there is no limit on the number of entries a group can submit. The name of the group and all other relevant information must be filled out in the entry form. The names of groups will be posted on the inexpressible site following their entries. Evaluation of Entries: The evaluation of the entries will be based solely on reason. challengethephilosophy.com in consultation with the Committee will be the final authority on whether or not a participant's entry overcomes the Challenge proposition. Entries will be evaluated in the order they are received. Depending on the number of entries received, it may take two weeks to respond to an entry. The committee members are chosen for their objectivity, open-mindedness, and analytical skills based on what they have said and written in the past. The members are kept anonymous. Replies and Disputes: Replies to entries or disputes regarding decisions are to be mailed to challengethephilosophy.com Committee, or sent using this e-mail Replies & Disputes, (Comments can be mailed to challengethephilosophy.com Committee, or sent using this e-mail Letters.) Similar to entries, replies and disputes are evaluated in the order they are received. (Entries, replies, and disputes are given equal priority.) Requests to reread entries or other submissions will be accepted as long as there is sufficient grounds for doing so. Any unresolvable disputes will be referred to third party arbitration. If a dispute is still not resolvable, a two week public assessment will commence, in which all participants will be notified and asked to participate. At the end of the two weeks, the challengethephilosophy.com Committee will make a decision on the dispute. Appeals of the challengethephilosophy.com Committee's decisions will be accepted as long as new arguments are presented. Quotes: Quotes will be taken from the entries and other submissions, and posted in a quote section. Winning Entry: The winner of the competition, if there is one, will be based on his or her entry submitted. All participants in the competition will have opportunity to assess a potential winning entry in a two week public forum, and at the end of competition (September 2004) for another two week period. If the entry has passed the initial two week public scrutiny, further evaluation by the challengethephilosophy.com Committee, and there is still time left in the competition, the new proposition will be adopted for the remainder of the competition or until another proposition more reasonably refutes it. The winning entry at the end of the competition (September 2004), if there is one, will be declared to all participants and posted online. The winner's idea, and explanation, will be published by challengethephilsophy.com within one year of winning the competition. The originator of the winning idea, and not anyone representing he or her, will be published. The winning competitor will be notified in writing. In the case of a group winning, only the group, and not anyone else representing them, will be published. Publication: The winning idea, and explanation of it, will be published in a paperback book. The book will not exceed 35,000 words, including an introduction by challengethephilsophy.com. The format, structure, editing, covers, and the price of the book, and anything else pertaining to the book, will be decided, in final, by challengethephilsophy.com. Though the author's input on things pertaining to the book will be carefully considered by challengethephilsophy.com in any decisions it makes on the book. 100 to 1000 copies of the book will be printed to begin, and with more to follow based on demand. The winning author will receive 10% royalty on sales of the book. challengethephilsophy.com has the rights for selling the book, including transfering its rights to another party. As part of the publication of the book, the author will be expected to help with the promotion of the book. Promotion by the author entails giving talks and readings, and responding to questions from readers. In the case of a group winning, the publication will authored only by the group. The 10% royalty on sales will be sent to the group. Also, the group will be expected to help with the promotion of the book. Miscellaneous: Participants have copyright over the written material, whether entries and replies, or any other submissions, they supply to challengethephilosophy.com Though challengethephilosophy.com may freely reproduce in html, print, electronic, or in any other forms, the written material supplied by participants. However, if a participant requests in writing that his or her material not be reproduced, challengethephilosophy.com will respect his or her request. Personal information of participants submitted through the competition is strictly confidential. It will not be used in anyway outside of the bounds of the competition, or released to anyone except in an extreme situation in which challengethephilsophy.com is legally forced to release the information. challengethephilosophy.com reserves the right to determine whether or not an entry or other submissions will be posted. Participants will be notified if their entries, or any other submissions, are posted on the challengethephilosophy.com site. Also, if it takes longer than three weeks to respond to an entry, or other submission, the challengethephilosophy Committee will notify the participant, telling the participant the expected time the submission will be responded to. The challengethephilosophy.com Committee reserves the right to edit entries or other submissions for spelling, grammar, and wordiness. Entries and other submissions will be rejected if they do not show an attempt by the participants to conform to the basic requirements of the English written language like correct punctuation and capitalization. However, if a participant goes outside the norms of the English language to help express an idea related to the competition, his or her entry will be accepted. Though the terms of the proposition are a set part of the competition, they can be refuted to overcome the proposition. (Refutation is subject to what is more reasonable.) The conditions of the competition may be subject to change for the sole purpose of improving the administration of the competition, thereby to better determine if the challenge proposition can be overcome or not. The explanations of the proposition's terms may be subject to change, including further elaboration, solely to clarify the meanings of the terms. Further details on the publication of the winning entry will be presented to the winning author once he or she is determined. As mentioned, the competition is open to anyone, including relations and relatives of the members of challengethephilsophy.com and the challengethephilosophy.com Committee to ensure that the most perspectives are heard. challengethephilosophy.com is not responsible for entry forms lost in the mail.

	Name
	Email Address
		In concise words, tell us how the proposition that we cannot [more reasonably] truly know who we are, in part or in whole, and be who we are at the same time, can be overcome:
	Entry:

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