Holes, hollows and cavities: ballot metaphysics

Posted 12/02/00

Commentary on the presidential election by a member of the Dartmouth faculty

Is a dimple a hole? This question may decide the U.S. presidential election. If dimples are holes, then many dimpled ballots which were rejected by machines are actually valid ballots and ought to be counted.

Are there any experts on holes? Yes! Roberto Casati and Achille Varzi have written a well-received book titled Holes and Other Superficialities (MIT Press, 1995). I am using it in a metaphysics course taught to Dartmouth students at the University of Edinburgh (as part of Dartmouth's Foreign Studies Program). Under the Casati/Varzi classification of holes, dimples are depressions or hollows. And these, along with tunnels and internal cavities, are holes.

This is good news for Al Gore. Democrats appear to be less penetrating voters than Republicans. If Professors Casati and Varzi sway the judges, the authors of Holes may become philosopher king-makers.