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submitted 4 weeks ago by fossilesque@mander.xyz to c/science_memes@mander.xyz

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[-] JackbyDev@programming.dev 9 points 4 weeks ago

There is no objective criteria for what a planet is and isn't. Like a lot of things in nature, things just exist, and as humans we categorize them.

You're the second person to ignore the sentence immediately following that.

[-] Alaknar@sopuli.xyz -2 points 3 weeks ago

Because that sentence doesn't really make sense. "Criteria" is a human concept. Nature doesn't do "criteria", nor "objective" for that matter. So, yes, there's no "natural criteria" for when something is X or Y, we, humans, make those criteria. Doesn't matter if it's in relation to animals, plants, or planets.

[-] JackbyDev@programming.dev 5 points 3 weeks ago

So you're saying things just exist, and as humans we categorize them? Because that's what I said.

[-] Alaknar@sopuli.xyz -1 points 3 weeks ago

The idea of a "category" is inherently human. Just like "objective" and "criteria".

Which means there is objective criteria for what is categorised as a planet - it's whatever we, humans, define them to be.

[-] JackbyDev@programming.dev 4 points 3 weeks ago

Not objective in the sense that aliens would come to the same definition for what is and isn't a planet. Compare that to something like what the elements are.