>>>>> "D" == David Alan Black <dblack / candle.superlink.net> writes: D> Yes -- to quote my last post: Sorry, D> But I still don't understand the asymmetrical behavior:. Do you have an un*x background ? :-) If not try if Module.public_methods.include? "test" then puts "test is public" else puts "test is not public" end This is the public method Module#test Now try : pigeon% ruby -e 'p "OK" if test ?r, "ruby"' "OK" pigeon% This is the *private* method Kernel#test Guy Decoux