> Calling something as exceptional or special entails a value judgement; Calling something exceptional or special is generally an objective statement based on

> Calling something as exceptional or special entails a value judgement; Calling something exceptional or special is generally an objective statement based on observed facts. Now whether something exceptional deserves special treatment is a value judgment. > Consider, horseshoe crabs are undeniably the best at doing all things horseshoe crab. No other animal comes close to behaving like a horseshoe crab! What are their exceptional traits? For example, we can say peregrine falcons or cheetahs are exceptionally fast. Or blue whales are exceptionally large. Saying horseshoe crabs are horseshoe crabs isn't saying much. > IMHO, the almost tautological nature You conjured up a false tautological argument. > It's just a stone's throw away from individual, group, and racial exceptionalism. But such exceptionalisms exist individually and group-wise/racially. We know that lebron james is exceptionally good at basketball. We know that tibetans do exceptionally well at high altitudes. Those are objective facts. Now whether they deserve special treatment is a value judgment.