FOM: Boolean algebra vs Boolean ring

[wtait@ix.netcom.com]

>From Colin McLarty(cxm7 at po.cwru.edu) 3/10:
>	Now Vaughan, like many other logicians and mathematicians,
>understands an algebraic theory without distinguishing "basic"
>operations from "derived" ones--that is primitive from defined
>operations. There is nothing arcane about this, and on this
>basis Boolean algebras are exactly the same things as Boolean
>rings.
I understand what you are saying, Colin; but you need to be explicit 
about what you mean by `derived' operations. I assume you mean those that 
are expressed by terms, which is ok. But if one takes it to mean 
explicitly definable functions, then it would be wrong; since the 
introduction of explicitly definable functions can destroy e.g. 
uisomorphic embeddings (unless they are elementary embeddings).

Bill