“That’s true for you but not for me!” Slogans like this oppose the notion of truth and are heard across America when people disagree. The statement is meant as a way of telling the person they disagree with what is said AND that it doesn’t apply to them. However, truth reveals itself despite this rejoinder.  Many don’t realize that the ‘only true for you’ statement suffers from many problems. The following dialogue should illustrate a bit of this. Feel free to comment!

Bob: Stealing is wrong.

Joe: That’s true for you but not for me!

Bob: What do you mean?

Joe: You may think it is wrong, but I think it is ok. You shouldn’t force your view on me.

Bob: Is that your view?

Joe: Yes.

Bob: Then why are you forcing it on me?

Joe: Uh. Ok, I was forcing my view on you. But you shouldn’t tell people they are wrong.

Bob: Are you telling me I’m wrong?

Joe: I guess so. Hmm… you got me there. I still think your claim is true for you but it is not for me.

Bob: Why?

Joe: Because you shouldn’t make claims that apply to others. Just mind your own business.

Bob: That is an interesting claim that you obviously think applies to me. But, I’ll assume for argument’s sake your view. According to you, things we say can’t apply to others.

Joe: Right.

Bob: And you said, “That’s true for you but not for me.”

Joe: Yes.

Bob: Does your statement, “That’s true for you but not for me,” apply only to you or does it apply to me too?

Joe: I guess it only applies to me if I’m going to be consistent.

Bob: Ok. Since it doesn’t apply to me, then I can feel free to hold my view that stealing is wrong. If your statement applies to me, then my statement can apply to others too. Either way, my statement can apply to others.

Joe: I can’t think of a way to make it sound right.

Bob: It is not a problem with your language. It is simply not right. Logic doesn’t allow for self-contradictory statements.

For more on this, watch the one minute video below!