@Mathathias Maccabeus Unfortunately many Catholics have departed from the realism of the scholastics and fallen prey to post-modern semantics (a form of nominalism). The cause of the duck is its duckness, as Plato would say- or its essence. Definitions are only articulations of what the thing is and are either in conformity with the things essence or not. So, not all definitions are equal in part due to erroneous presuppositions and subjective biases that people hold. Another way of saying is there are many opinions but only one truth.

@Mathathias Maccabeus I was just being facetious. A things -isness is its nature or essence, and cognizing this is the goal of philosophy according to Plato. And that was my point, there are many definitions of a troll but what is it in reality? Some of the properties of a troll is an online contrarian who enjoys arguing via provocation and emotional manipulation. They thrill in getting a rile out of their opponent and will keep the argumentation going to no end enjoying the frustration, anger and stress they sow in an online forum. This gives them a sense of intellectual superiority and power over their online targets. They will never cease until their responders cease posting as they always get in the last word, a sign that they have won and are superior. It is the hallmark of an anti-social and narcissistic personality.

I've read your posts and interacted in some discussions with you, and you definitely don't fit the characteristics of a troll. You seem to genuinely want to engage in a dialectical discussion in order to advance and move toward a greater understanding and grasp of the truth of the matter at hand. And, your discussions are respectful and without provocation.

Pax et bonum

@philosopher The SSPX certainly grows some awfully sour grapes in its vineyard. ;-) Constantly crying "troll" and "narcissist" have become the rallying cry of GTV's Losers' Club. Like any other lie, it doesn't become true simply because spiteful people keep repeating it. All it shows is how dedicated they are to perpetuating falsehood. Considering the worst culprits of that around here, such behavior is consistent with their entire world-view.